The price of gold has rocketed to an all-time high this week, surpassing the US$5,300 per ounce barrier in what is seen as a record-breaking rally. The latest uptick to a fresh high has well and truly put the spotlight on ASX gold shares. 

What has caused the latest gold price rally?

According to Trading Economics, a combination of US dollar weakness, US interest rate expectations, heightened economic and geopolitical uncertainty, and ongoing tariff threats has created a perfect storm for gold.

And investors have flooded into safe-haven assets as confidence weakens, sending gold prices soaring and lifting sentiment among ASX gold miners.

But not all ASX gold shares are equal. Some are a far better buy than others.

Here’s one ASX gold stock I’d buy amid the gold price rally, and one I’d sell.

I’d buy Newmont Corp (ASX: NEM) shares

The Newmont share price is up 1.63% today to $186.78 a piece. The latest uptick means the ASX gold stock is now 23.6% higher year-to-date and a huge 180.45% above its trading price this time last year.

As the world’s largest gold miner, Newmont has a large portfolio of mines, including 11 mines and interests in two joint ventures in the Americas, Africa, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. 

It had about two decades of gold reserves, along with significant byproduct reserves at the end of December 2024. Newmont also produces material amounts of copper, silver, zinc, and lead as byproducts. 

The miner’s diversification and operational resilience make it a strong choice for those looking for gold exposure on the ASX.

Analysts are bullish on the outlook for the ASX gold stock, too. TradingView data shows 22 out of 28 analysts have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares. The maximum target price is currently $232.81, which implies a potential 24.6% upside for investors at the time of writing.

I’d avoid Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) shares

Evolution Mining shares have fallen 0.2% today, to $15.32 a piece at the time of writing. For the year-to-date, the gold miner’s shares have climbed 20.78% and they’re also up a whopping 171.28% over the year.

Although the miner is riding the latest gold price rally, I’m not optimistic about its outlook. In fact, I think Evolution Mining’s shares could halve in value in 2026. The main issue, I think, is that the window of opportunity to buy has passed. 

Its share price gains have been incredible over the past 12 months, and its financial performance has been robust. But I’m concerned that the stock is now trading above fair value. I’m also wary that the ASX 200 gold miner is heavily reliant on higher-than-ever gold prices, and any pullback could send the shares tumbling.

It looks like analysts agree, too. TradingView data shows 8 out of 19 analysts have a sell or strong sell rating on the ASX gold shares. Another 8 have a hold rating. The average target price is $13.09, which implies a potential 14.66% downside at the time of writing. Although some think the shares could drop 53.75% to just $7.10 a piece over the next 12 months.

The post ASX gold shares: One I’d buy and one I’d avoid appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
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• ASX All Ords shares smashing 52-week highs today

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.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) is back in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

The ASX tech stock is under pressure again today, with the WiseTech share price down 1.75% to $59.64.

That puts the stock at its lowest level since October 2023.

Zooming out, the sell-off has been brutal. WiseTech shares are now down almost 52% over the past 12 months, making it one of the worst performers among large-cap ASX tech names.

So, what has pushed the WiseTech share price this low? Let’s take a closer look.

A tough year for a former market darling

WiseTech has long been regarded as one of the ASX’s highest-quality growth companies. Its CargoWise platform is widely used across global logistics supply chains, supporting years of strong revenue growth.

But over the past year, the market has reassessed WiseTech’s outlook.

Valuation concerns, ongoing governance scrutiny, and a broader pullback from expensive growth stocks have all pressured the share price. At the same time, shifting interest rate expectations have reduced investor appetite for high multiple technology names.

Despite the sell-off, WiseTech still sits with a market capitalisation of around $20 billion and remains ranked number one in the ASX technology sector by size.

What the charts are saying

The chart still points to ongoing weakness.

WiseTech shares are trading well below their key moving averages, including the 50-day and 200-day lines. That suggests sellers remain in control for now, as the broader trend continues to point lower.

The relative strength index (RSI) is hovering around 30, which is approaching oversold territory. This does not guarantee a bounce, but it does suggest downside momentum may be starting to slow.

Bollinger Bands also show the share price sitting near the lower band, often a sign that selling pressure has become stretched in the short term.

The next key support level appears to be around the mid $50 range. A break below that could open the door to further weakness.

Upcoming dates investors should watch

There are several important catalysts ahead.

WiseTech is scheduled to report its half-year results on 25 February 2026. This update will be closely watched for signs that earnings growth remains on track and that margins are holding up.

The interim dividend goes ex-dividend on 13 March 2026, with payment due on 10 April 2026.

Looking further ahead, WiseTech is expected to release its full-year results on 26 August 2026, followed by its AGM later in the year.

Foolish Takeaway

WiseTech Global shares have fallen a long way, and the chart still looks fragile. In the short term, the trend remains down.

That said, the stock is now trading at levels not seen in more than two years. If upcoming results show resilience in earnings and cash flow, sentiment could improve quickly.

I believe that WiseTech looks like a stock to watch closely rather than rush into for now.

The post This ASX 200 tech stock just hit a 2-year low. Is it worth a closer look? 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 positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to record a decline. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.3% to 8,905.9 points.

Four ASX shares that are falling more than most today are listed below. Here’s why they are dropping:

Brainchip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN)

The Brainchip share price is down 6% to 15.5 cents. Investors have been selling this semiconductor company’s shares following the release of another disappointing quarterly update. Brainchip recorded cash receipts of just US$0.4 million for the three months ended 31 December. That’s despite it entering the commercialisation stage a few years ago. And with its market capitalisation now at $350 million, it seems that some investors are finally recognising that this premium valuation is undeserved.

Galan Lithium Ltd (ASX: GLN)

The Galan Lithium share price is down 13% to 40.7 cents. This morning, this lithium developer announced that it has received firm commitments from institutional and sophisticated investors for a $40 million placement at a discount of 41 cents per new share. The proceeds will be used to complete phase one construction activities, expand phase one production capacity from 4 ktpa LCE to 5.2 ktpa LCE, undertake exploration activities at Greenbushes South, and for working capital purposes. The company’s managing director, Juan Pablo Vargas de la Vega, commented: “An accelerated recovery in lithium prices has provided Galan with an opportunity to expand HMW Phase 1 production capacity by 30%.”

Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU)

The Iluka Resources share price is down 13.5% to $5.58. Investors have been selling this mineral sands company’s shares after it revealed that it would recognise $565 million in impairment charges in its upcoming first-half results. It advised: “The suspension [of the Cataby mine] was enacted given subdued demand for mineral sands and their associated downstream products, particularly pigment. The persistence of these demand conditions has impacted price expectations in the nearer term.”

Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM)

The Ora Banda Mining share price is down 13% to $1.44. This morning, this gold miner released its quarterly update and revealed record gold production. However, looking further ahead, management is now guiding to the low end of its production guidance range and has increased its cost guidance meaningfully. Its FY 2026 all-in sustaining cost (AISC) is now expected to be $3,250 per ounce to $3,350 per ounce from $2,800 to $2,900 per ounce.

The post Why Brainchip, Galan Lithium, Iluka, and Ora Banda shares are tumbling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares are trading at $3.57 after falling 9.62% on Thursday. That leaves the stock a long way below its 52-week high of $6.71, raising an obvious question for investors looking at the pullback. Is this an opportunity?

After reviewing the company’s latest fourth-quarter and FY25 update, I believe the answer is yes. I think the sell-off has more to do with expectations and short-term noise than any deterioration in the long-term story.

Here’s why I’d buy DroneShield shares below $4.

A very large and expanding addressable market

The investment case for DroneShield starts with the problem it is trying to solve. The proliferation of drones and autonomous systems is no longer theoretical. It is already a reality across the military, government, critical infrastructure, airports, and, increasingly, civilian settings.

DroneShield operates in what is effectively a global counter-drone and electronic warfare market, with customers spanning defence forces, intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and infrastructure operators. Importantly, management has highlighted that the civilian sector could grow to account for up to half of revenue over the next five years, thereby meaningfully expanding the total addressable market.

This is not a niche opportunity tied to one conflict or region. It is a structural demand trend driven by technology becoming cheaper, more capable, and more widely available.

Sales pipeline has softened, but momentum remains

One of the reasons the shares reacted poorly this week was a decline in the reported sales pipeline compared to the previous update. That is worth acknowledging. A smaller pipeline can make investors nervous, particularly after a strong run in the share price last year.

However, I think it is important to look at this in context. DroneShield just delivered its second-highest revenue quarter on record, capped off a year with all-time record metrics, and now has committed revenues for 2026 of $95.6 million. At the start of 2025, committed revenue was negligible.

In other words, some of the pipeline has been converted into actual contracts. That is exactly what you want to see over time. While the pipeline will naturally fluctuate, the company continues to announce meaningful contract wins across Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and other Western military customers.

SaaS growth is becoming a bigger part of the story

One of the most encouraging parts of the latest update was the growth in SaaS revenue. Quarterly SaaS revenue jumped 475% year-on-year to $4.6 million, and management expects this to keep rising.

This matters because DroneShield is deliberately shifting toward a model where software plays a larger role. As drone hardware becomes more open-ended and adaptable, software, command-and-control platforms, and ongoing subscriptions become increasingly valuable.

All new products are now expected to include one or more SaaS components, creating a more recurring, higher-quality revenue stream over time and helping smooth earnings.

Cash flow and balance sheet strength

Another point that I think gets overlooked during volatile trading sessions is cash flow. DroneShield generated operating cash flow of $7.7 million in the quarter and is targeting consistent operating cash flow positivity and profitability going forward.

The company ended the period with over $210 million in cash and no debt. That gives it the flexibility to continue investing in R&D, expand globally, and ride out short-term volatility without raising capital.

Foolish takeaway

DroneShield is not a low-risk stock. Revenues can be lumpy, sentiment can swing quickly, and expectations can move faster than fundamentals.

But at below $4, with the shares down sharply from their highs and at a discount to the peer group, I think the market is focusing too much on short-term pipeline movements and not enough on the bigger picture. A growing addressable market, accelerating SaaS revenues, strong contract momentum, and a very healthy balance sheet are not signs of a broken business.

For investors who understand the risks and are comfortable with volatility, I think DroneShield shares below $4 look like a compelling opportunity.

The post DroneShield stock is below $4. Should I buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield. 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.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’d probably be aware by now of the extraordinary performance run that gold, and ASX gold stocks by extension, have been on over the past year or two, but particularly over the past few months.

As we’ve covered extensively here at the Motley Fool, gold has gone from US$1200 an ounce in 2019 to US$1,700 an ounce by late 2023. This time last year, that ounce was worth just under US$2,800, but, in the past 24 hours, it has just broken through US$5,300 for the first time ever.

Over just 2026 to date, we’ve seen gold jump from US$4,300 to US$5,300, a gain worth almost 25%.

Extraordinary stuff. We’ve already discussed how investors can buy, or at least invest in, gold itself this month. But today, let’s talk about how this unprecedented runup has affected the shares of one of the ASX’s largest gold stocks.

Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) may not be the largest official gold stock on the Australian share market. That title technically belongs to the US-listed Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM). But Evolution is one of the largest gold stocks that exclusively calls the ASX home, behind only Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST).

As such, investors could happily expect that gold’s booming price has treated this company very well. But just how well? Let’s investigate a hypothetical scenario: an investor buying $10,000 worth of Evolution shares a year ago and see how they’d be faring today.

Meet the ASX gold stock that has almost tripled in 12 months

So, one year ago today, Evolution stock was about to close at $5.64 a share. If one had bought $10,000 worth of this ASX gold stock’s shares, they would have picked up 1,773 shares.

Today, Evolution shares are trading at $15.32 each at the time of writing. That means those 1,773 shares would be worth $27,162.36. Yep, this gold stock has almost tripled in value since January 2025, with investors bagging a 171.6% capital return.

But that’s not the only profit that this ASX gold stock made for its shareholders over the past 12 months. Evolution also paid out two dividends.

The first of these dividends was the interim April payout, worth 7 cents per share. The second was the final dividend from October, worth 13 cents per share. Both dividends were fully franked.

This annual total of 20 cents per share means our investor would have received an additional $354.60 in dividend income over the past 12 months, lifting their overall capital to $27,516.96. That’s a return of 175.2% on the original $10,000 investment.

The post $10,000 invested in gold stock Evolution Mining a year ago is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Newmont. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has 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 Immutep Ltd (ASX: IMM) share price is in the red today after the company released its latest quarterly update.

At the time of writing, the Immutep share price is down 2.95% to 42.7 cents.

That short-term dip comes despite a solid year for investors. Immutep shares are still up almost 30% over the past 12 months, as the company continues to make progress across its drug development programs.

So, why is the share price falling today?

A big partnership deal moves closer to cash

The biggest news from the quarter was Immutep’s new partnership with global drug company, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories.

Under the deal, Dr Reddy’s will develop and sell Immutep’s lead cancer drug, eftilagimod alfa (efti), in most global markets. Immutep will retain full rights in the US, Europe, Japan, and Greater China.

In return, Immutep received an upfront payment of about $30 million in January. The company could also receive up to $528 million in future milestone payments if the drug is successfully developed and approved. Immutep would also earn royalties on any future sales.

Cancer trials continue to show progress

Immutep’s main focus remains its late-stage lung cancer trial, which is testing efti alongside Keytruda and chemotherapy.

The company said patient enrolment continues at a steady pace, with more than 38% of the required patients now enrolled across sites in 27 countries. Management said the trial remains on track.

Earlier-stage trials have also delivered encouraging results. In one lung cancer study, response rates were higher than typically seen with standard treatments, even in harder-to-treat patients.

Immutep also reported positive data from a soft tissue sarcoma trial, where the drug showed signs of shrinking tumours and activating the immune system.

Outside of cancer, the company shared early positive results from a new autoimmune disease program, which could open the door to future growth.

A strong cash position supports the next phase

Looking at the numbers, Immutep finished the quarter with $99.1 million in cash and term deposits.

After receiving the upfront payment from Dr Reddy’s in January, that figure increased to around $129.3 million.

Management said this gives the company enough funding to operate well into the second quarter of FY27, even before factoring in any future milestone payments.

Immutep spent $9.4 million on operations during the quarter, mainly to support its clinical trials.

Why the share price dipped anyway

Expectations were already high following Immutep’s recent run.

With no major new trial results released on the day, some investors appear to have taken profits, pushing the share price slightly lower.

Even so, Immutep’s update showed steady progress, a major commercial partnership, and a strong cash position.

The post This ASX biotech just smashed its quarterly update. So why are its shares falling? 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.

Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) shares are sliding today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) fast food pizza retailer closed yesterday trading for $24.02. In early afternoon trade on Thursday, shares are swapping hands for $23.11 apiece, down 3.8%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.7% at this same time.

If you’ve been following this stock, you’ll know that Domino’s shares have rebounded strongly since notching one-year closing lows of $13.31 on 7 October.

Despite today’s slide, shares remain up an impressive 73.6% from those lows.

Yet shares still remain down 23.9% since this time last year, losses that will have only been modestly eased by the 77 cents per share in unfranked dividends Domino’s paid out over the 12 months. The ASX 200 pizza retailer currently trades on a trailing dividend yield of 3.3%.

With shares still down sharply over the past year, is now still a good time to buy the stock?

Should you buy Domino’s shares today?

For some greater insight into that question, we defer to Medallion Financial Group’s Stuart Bromley (courtesy of The Bull).

“Domino’s may be a turnaround play if current cost cutting, franchise improvements and international expansion go to plan,” Bromley said. “But we see execution risk in Asia and Europe.”

According to Bromley:

The company posted a statutory net loss of $3.7 million in fiscal year 2025, which was impacted by one-off items. The shares have recovered from their lows but are well below their highs of previous years.

Indeed, Domino’s shares got a huge boost following the outbreak of the global pandemic in 2020 and the travel and dining out restrictions that lasted through 2021. That saw the ASX 200 stock hit $161.98 a share on 10 September 2021. Meaning shares are still down more than 85% from those highs.

Explaining his sell recommendation on the ASX 200 fast food stock, Bromley concluded:

The company operates in a fiercely competitive sector, where margins can be pressured. Until DMP shows a sustained recovery, we prefer to sit on the sidelines. Other stocks appeal more at this stage of the cycle.

What’s the latest from the ASX 200 pizza company?

Domino’s shares closed up 3.1% on 12 January after the company announced the appointment of a new CEO for its Australia and New Zealand operations.

Merrill Pereyra took the reins as CEO of Domino’s ANZ business last week, on 23 January. He has more than 30 years of experience in the fast food restaurant sector, including leadership roles at McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and Domino’s Indonesia.

Domino’s hunt for a permanent group CEO is ongoing.

The post Up 74% since October, are Domino’s shares still a good buy today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) shares slid around 6% in US after-hours trading after the software giant reported its latest quarterly results.

The market’s reaction was in sharp contrast to Meta Platform (NASDAQ: META), whose shares surged, despite both companies committing to massive AI capital expenditure (capex) programs.

For Australian investors, the move is highly relevant. Both Microsoft and Meta are major holdings in several ASX-listed ETFs, including BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ), VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT), ETFS FANG+ ETF (ASX: FANG), and Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: GXAI).

What did Microsoft report?

At first glance, Microsoft’s result looked strong. Revenue rose 17% year on year to US$81.3 billion, cloud revenue topped US$50 billion for the first time, and adjusted profits climbed more than 20%.

Demand for AI-powered services remains robust, particularly across Azure and Copilot, and management stressed that customer demand still exceeds available supply.

So why did the market sell the stock?

The short answer is spending, its timing, and the narrative around it.

Microsoft’s capital expenditure jumped 66% year on year, driven by an aggressive build-out of data centres, GPUs, and AI infrastructure. While this spending underpins long-term ambitions, it’s hitting earnings now. Investors also focused on slightly slower momentum in Azure growth, which, while still very strong, failed to exceed already-high expectations.

In other words, Microsoft delivered good numbers, but not enough to justify the near-term hit to margins from front-loaded AI investment.

The other issue is the narrative around this capex spend. Investors need reassurance that this massive capex on AI initiatives will deliver a good return on investment, and whilst Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella tried his best to encourage investors to think beyond just Azure into other areas like Copilot, the narrative just wasn’t as convincing as it was with Meta.

Meta also announced eye-watering AI spending, with capital expenditure expected to reach up to US$135 billion next year. Yet its shares jumped.

The difference lies in where the payoff is showing up. Meta convinced investors that AI is already improving advertising performance and accelerating revenue growth, making today’s spending feel like an enabler rather than a drag.

Microsoft’s AI story is arguably broader and deeper, spanning cloud infrastructure, enterprise software, and consumer tools. But it’s also more capital-intensive and slower to translate into visible margin expansion.

Foolish bottom line

For Australian investors, the takeaway isn’t that Microsoft’s AI bet is wrong. Far from it. The company remains one of the best-positioned players in the AI ecosystem, with unmatched enterprise reach and enormous recurring revenues.

Instead, the market reaction highlights a more subtle point: AI spending alone isn’t enough. What matters is how quickly that spending turns into earnings leverage.

Meta showed that link clearly. Microsoft may get there too, but for now, the market is asking for more proof.

Microsoft’s share price drop reflects short-term caution, not long-term doubt. Investors believe in its AI strategy, but they may have to wait a little longer to see when the payoff moves from infrastructure to profits.

The post Microsoft shares slump as investors are split on the AI capex boom appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Kevin Gandiya has positions in Microsoft and Meta Platforms. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It’s been a subdued start to the year for ASX stocks. The S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) is 1.57% higher for the year-to-date, and the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 1.62% as cost-of-living pressures, cash rate hike concerns and market shifts weigh on investor sentiment.

In times like these, it’s important for investors to see the forest through the trees and identify investment opportunities amid market ups and downs.

Here are three ASX stocks I think every Aussie investor should consider for their portfolio this year.

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS)

EOS is a red-hot Aussie defence stock that develops and produces advanced electro-optic technologies. For the year-to-date, the company’s shares are down 8.44%, and while this isn’t ideal, in the context of its enormous 646.72% annual gain, it’s not too alarming.

The ASX stock has benefited from surging demand for exposure to the defence sector amid ongoing geopolitical volatility. Recent data shows that Global military spending reached an unprecedented US$2.7 trillion in 2024. I’d bet the figure was even higher for 2025.

The company has had several major contract wins recently and is well-positioned for strong growth this year. 

Analysts rate the shares a strong buy and tip an upside of up to 40.24% to $12.72 at the time of writing.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

Telix shares are down 2.51% to $11.08 a piece for the year-to-date, at the time of writing. Thanks to several significant headwinds over the past year, they’re now down 61.43% year-on-year.

Its recent Q4 FY25 results disappointed investors, despite the biotech stock reporting that it achieved its US$804 million FY25 guidance. Over the past few months, the company has also had regulatory filing issues with the US Food and Drug Administration.

But I think Telix still has exceptional growth potential amid a rapidly growing market, and at the current share price, in my view, the ASX stock is a buy.

Analysts mostly rate the shares as a strong buy and predict they could soar by up to 203.92% this year to $33.69 at the time of writing. 

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

The mining giant recently took the reins as the largest stock on the Australian sharemarket. BHP shares crossed the $50 mark earlier this week, pushing the miner’s market capitalisation to just over $253.5 billion. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) is now in second place, with a market capitalisation of around $251.9 billion.

At the time of writing, the miner’s shares are down 0.85% to $50.17, although they’re 9.65% higher for the year-to-date and 28.23% higher than this time last year.

Analysts’ forecasts for the stock’s direction from here are subdued, with most holding a neutral stance and some even expecting a slight downside. 

But unlike the two ASX stocks listed above, I think BHP shares should be considered this year for more than just the upside potential. It’s worth noting that the company’s production is growing, and the business is diverse and actively expanding. And, of course, the miner offers a strong passive income stream for investors seeking reliable cash flow. 

Over the past 12 months, BHP paid an interim dividend of 79.1 cents per share on 27 March and a final dividend of 91.9 cents per share on 25 September, both fully franked. That’s a full-year passive income payout of $1.71 per share.

The post 3 ASX stocks every Aussie investor should consider in 2026 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 positions in and has recommended Electro Optic Systems and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) uranium shares are benefitting from increasing adoption of nuclear power as part of the energy transition.

Many nations intend to build small modular nuclear reactors to create a new and low-emissions power source for domestic electricity.

In an article, Anna Wu, a senior associate in cross-asset investment research at VanEck, said:

An important tailwind for nuclear energy is the renewed support from many governments.

Following the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, many countries deprioritised nuclear energy in favour of other sources.

However, in recent years, many have reversed their stance or affirmed their commitment, recognising the critical importance of nuclear energy in the power mix…

Wu said a boom is afoot in uranium mining and nuclear energy infrastructure, commenting:

Demand for low carbon, efficient energy sources, primarily driven by the artificial intelligence sector, has resulted in a recent boom for uranium miners and nuclear energy infrastructure sectors.

Some of the companies within the markets helped drive global equity markets in 2025 and this could continue into 2026.

On The Bull this week, two experts revealed their ratings on two ASX 200 uranium shares.

Let’s take a look.

ASX 200 uranium share to buy

Nexgen Energy (Canada) CDI (ASX: NXG)

Nexgen Energy shares are $19.39, up 4.7% on Thursday and up 88% over the past year.

The Canadian uranium explorer is primarily focused on developing its Rook I Project into the largest, low-cost uranium mine in the world.

Rook I is the largest development-stage uranium project in Canada. Nexgen uncovered the high-grade Arrow Deposit in 2014, followed by Bow in 2015, the Cannon and Harpoon deposits in 2016, South Arrow in 2017, and Patterson Corridor East in 2024.

Stuart Bromley from Medallion Financial Group has a buy rating on this ASX 200 uranium share.

Bromley explains:

NexGen continues its journey to become a long life and low cost uranium producer in mining friendly Canada, a geopolitically stable country.

The company recently revealed the Patterson Corridor East discovery is expanding rapidly on multiple fronts.

Vertical and lateral growth materially increases the mineralised footprint and leaves potential additional discoveries open at depth and along strike — precisely what the market wants from a basin-scale uranium play.

Bromley sees tailwinds for Nexgen shares in the new year.

With a large drilling program underway and broader uranium fundamentals improving, NXG remains well positioned among global peers.

ASX 200 uranium stock to sell

Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE)

Boss Energy shares are $1.96, down 1% today and down 35% over the past 12 months.

John Athanasiou from Red Leaf Securities has a sell rating on Boss Energy shares.

Boss Energy owns the Honeymoon Project in South Australia and has a 30% stake in the Alta Mesa Project in South Texas, US.

Athanasiou says:

Boss Energy remains highly leveraged to uranium market sentiment, with its valuation reflecting optimistic production assumptions and pricing scenarios.

Any operational delays or cost over-runs could impact returns.

In our view, companies with clearer earnings visibility are a more appealing alternative.

Athanasiou noted that Boss Energy shares have fallen significantly from $4.48 apiece on 1 July 2025.

The shares may remain under pressure in what can be a volatile sector. 

The post ASX 200 uranium shares: Buy 1, sell the other appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
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• Why Benz Mining, Boss Energy, Develop Global, and Digico shares are storming higher today
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• Up 54% since December, can Boss Energy shares keep racing higher in 2026?

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.