Tag: Stock pick

It looks like it will be a day to forget for owners of Immutep Ltd (ASX: IMM) shares on Friday.

In morning trade, the ASX biotech stock is down a massive 93% to 2.8 cents.

Why is this ASX biotech stock having a day to forget?

Investors have been rushing to the exits in their droves on Friday after the late-stage biotechnology company released an update on the TACTI-004 Phase III study.

TACTI-004 is a randomised, double-blind, controlled Phase III study evaluating eftilagimod alfa (efti), a first-in-class MHC Class II agonist, in combination with Merck & Co’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA, and chemotherapy.

It is being evaluated as a first-line therapy for patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with no EGFR, ALK or ROS1 genomic tumour aberrations.

Patients were being randomised 1:1 to receive either efti in combination with pembrolizumab and chemotherapy in the treatment arm or pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy and placebo in the control arm. The study’s dual primary endpoints were progression-free survival and overall survival.

What’s the latest?

This morning, the ASX biotech stock revealed that the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) for the TACTI-004 Phase III study has recommended the discontinuation of the trial following a planned interim futility analysis in accordance with the study protocol.

This followed a review of the available safety and efficacy data.

In response to the IDMC’s recommendation, Immutep advised that enrolment in the study will be halted and the company will implement an orderly wind-down of the study, including appropriate patient follow-up and site close-out in accordance with regulatory and ethical obligations.

Commenting on the news, the ASX biotech stock’s CEO, Marc Voigt, said:

We are very disappointed and surprised with the outcome of the futility analysis, in light of efti’s performance in every other clinical trial. We would like to thank the patients, investigators, and clinical teams who contributed to this important study. We are currently conducting a comprehensive review of the available data to better understand the results and determine the appropriate next steps for the program.

Is it game over?

The company advised that despite this massive setback, it remains focused on advancing its pipeline of therapies including efti.

Following the discontinuation of TACTI-004, Immutep now anticipates its cash runway will be extended well beyond the previously guided timeframe of the second quarter of 2027, which was set prior to the trial’s cessation.

It intends to provide an updated outlook on its revised cash runway and will reassess capital allocation priorities once operational assessments and a full analysis of the study data have been finalised.

The post Game over? ASX biotech stock crashes 90% on big bad news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why the Immutep share price is halted 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 Merck. 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.

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) shares are falling heavily on Friday morning.

At the time of writing, the gold mining giant’s shares are down 16% to $22.46.

Why are Northern Star shares falling?

Investors have been selling the gold miner’s shares this morning following the release of an operational update.

That update revealed that management believes achieving the lower end of its downgraded FY 2026 production guidance will be challenging.

According to the release, Northern Star has experienced weaker performance over the last two months. This has been driven largely by weaker-than-planned milling performance at the KCGM operation and reduced mining productivity across several operating areas, particularly at Jundee.

The company revealed that total gold sales for January and February were 220,000 ounces.

While several factors will continue to influence the final result, Northern Star currently expects FY 2026 production to come in above 1.5 million ounces. However, the outcome will depend heavily on mill throughput at KCGM, which management says continues to be highly variable.

This compares to its most recent guidance of 1.6 million to 1.7 million ounces, which was downgraded from 1.7 million to 1.85 million ounces.

KCGM expansion

Northern Star also provided an update on the KCGM Mill Expansion Project, which it says remains on track for commissioning in early FY 2027.

Management revealed that the company has increased labour on the project to offset lower-than-planned productivity and protect the commissioning timeline. Approximately 800 contractors are currently working on the plant and another 400 contractors are completing enabling works.

But until the expanded mill comes online, operations will remain dependent on the existing mill, where performance has been highly variable.

Northern Star’s managing director and CEO, Stuart Tonkin, said:

Front of mind for Management and the Board is that efforts to achieve the FY26 forecast do not compromise the transition to the new plant and have negative implications for Q1 next year. To deal with that concern, Management’s focus over the next four months will be to set the Company up to achieve its full potential from the start of FY27 and not on the achievement of short-term guidance above all else. The production focus over this period will be on extracting ounces in the most effective way, from both a cost and mining efficiency perspective.

Looking ahead, Northern Star advised that it has commenced work on producing medium term forecasts. It expects to release these forecasts prior to the end of the year. Tonkin adds:

We have heard the clear feedback from our investors on the importance of a more granular understanding of the medium-term production, cost and capital outlook for our asset base. This work is underway and we are committed to presenting this information to the market later this year.

The post Northern Star shares crash 16% on second guidance downgrade for FY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Northern Star trims FY26 guidance and updates on KCGM mill expansion
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• 5 key drivers of the new commodities ‘supercycle’: experts
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Australia’s next great ASX mining boom: Are we already in it?

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.

The ASX share GemLife Communities Group (ASX: GLF) could be a compelling business to own for the foreseeable future because of the potential for its earnings to grow.

Fund managers at Wilson Asset Management picked the business as one to keep an eye on. It was one of the largest 20 positions in the portfolio of listed investment company (LIC) WAM Research Ltd (ASX: WAX) at the end of February 2026.

WAM Research aims to own the most compelling undervalued growth opportunities in the Australian market. It also holds stocks such as Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB), Gentrack Group Ltd (ASX: GTK) and Tuas Ltd (ASX: TUA).

Let’s take a look at why GemLife is an attractive business to own.

What does GemLife do?

The ASX share is not one of the most well-known businesses on the ASX. The fund manager described the business as an Australian ‘pureplay’ developer, builder, owner and operator in Australia’s land lease community (LLC) sector, delivering resort-style communities for homeowners aged 50 and over.

WAM notes that it has more than 30 communities and projects across Australia, primarily spanning Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

FY25 result

The fund manager was pleased to see that the business announced a “positive” FY25 result in February, reporting robust growth and declaring that its performance had exceeded prospectus forecasts.

Revenue grew by 5.8% to $281.7 million, underlying operating profit (EBITDA) climbed by 9.4% to $110 million, and underlying net profit increased 10.1% to $90 million.

WAM also highlighted that GemLife announced positive capital management initiatives, refinancing existing debt to improve the organisation’s balance sheet.

Its $700 million debt facility was originally scheduled to mature in June 2029. This has been refinanced into three tranches with staggered maturities. The cost of debt was also renegotiated, reducing the overall cost by 25 basis points (0.25%) compared to the previous facility.

Positive outlook for the ASX share

Turning to FY26, the business is focused on delivering active sites, providing identifiable earnings growth over the coming years.

It’s expecting its underlying earnings per security (EPS) to grow by between 20% to 27% in 2026, reaching between 28.5 cents and 30 cents.

Upfront infrastructure works are expected to be delivered at several new communities, leading to a greater number of active projects contributing to settlements from FY27 onwards.

At 31 December 2025, there were 300 homes completed or under construction, up from 260 at 30 June 2025. It expects to settle over 420 homes in FY26, though the focus will continue to be on underlying earnings and profitability to support the ASX share’s organic growth strategy.

The post Experts like this ASX share which expects to grow its profit by at least 20% this year! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• KFC owner Collins Foods shares sliding today on class action news
• Syrah Resources shares tumble after major US tariff hit
• Game over? ASX biotech stock crashes 90% on big bad news
• Northern Star shares crash 16% on second guidance downgrade for FY26
• 2 ASX growth shares tipped to double in value

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Tuas. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Aussie Broadband and Gentrack Group and is short shares of Aussie Broadband. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Gentrack Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Aussie Broadband. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It has been a few rough months for these 2 ASX growth shares. Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) and Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) have tumbled 51% and 31% so far this year respectively.

For long-term investors, market pullbacks can sometimes create attractive entry points into companies with strong competitive positions and large growth opportunities.

For that reason, these 2 ASX growth shares could be worth a closer look today.

Temple & Webster Group: largest pure-play online retailer

The ASX growth share plummeted almost 8% to $6.83 on Thursday. This appears to be driven by concerns about how the war in the Middle East could affect the online furniture and homewares retailer.

Surging shipping costs have raised fears that profitability could come under pressure in the second half of FY2026.

The latest fears add to earlier concerns about slowing growth and margin pressure. Heavy discounting and marketing spending have squeezed profitability, leading to earnings that missed analyst expectations in recent results.

However, the fact remains that Temple & Webster is Australia’s largest pure-play online retailer focused on furniture and homewares.The ASX growth share operates a marketplace model that connects suppliers with customers. This allows the business to scale its product range without the heavy inventory costs faced by traditional retailers.

The company’s long-term strategy is centred on capturing market share in a fragmented industry. Management is targeting more than $1 billion in annual revenue by FY2028.

Revenue momentum has remained strong, with the business reporting nearly 20% sales growth in the first half of FY26.

Despite concerns, many brokers remain optimistic about the long-term opportunity of the ASX growth share. Bell Potter is bullish, with a buy rating and a $13.00 price target. That implies potential upside of around 90% over the next 12 months.

Xero: US acquisition to accelerate growth

Xero is one of the world’s leading cloud accounting platforms for small businesses.

The $14 billion ASX growth share provides accounting, payroll, and financial management software through a subscription model that generates highly predictable recurring revenue. Today, Xero has more than 4 million subscribers globally, with strong positions in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

One of the biggest strengths of the business is its powerful ecosystem. By connecting accountants, small businesses, and financial service providers, the platform becomes more valuable as more users join.

Looking ahead, management is focused on expanding in the US, the world’s largest market for small-business accounting software. Its US$2.5 billion acquisition of payments platform Melio is designed to accelerate that strategy and strengthen its payments ecosystem.

That said, risks remain. International expansion can be expensive, and integrating acquisitions like Melio carries execution risk.

Analysts remain broadly positive on the ASX growth share. Analysts expect Xero’s earnings to grow at around 21% per year over the next few years, reflecting the long runway ahead for cloud accounting adoption globally.

The ASX growth share currently carries a buy consensus rating, with an average price target implying roughly 94% upside from current levels.

UBS is very bullish. It currently has a buy rating and $174.00 price target on Xero’s shares, which implies potential upside of over 120%.

Foolish Takeaway

Temple & Webster and Xero have both experienced sharp share price pullbacks, but their long-term growth stories remain largely intact.

For investors willing to tolerate some volatility, these two beaten-down ASX growth shares could potentially reward patient shareholders over the years ahead.

The post 2 ASX growth shares tipped to double in value appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to turn $10,000 into $100,000 with ASX shares
• Why I’d buy these dirt-cheap ASX 200 shares trading at 52-week lows
• 2 ASX growth stocks to buy now and hold for 10 years
• 3 ASX tech shares to buy amid ongoing tech wreck
• Why EOS, GQG, Liontown, and Temple & Webster shares are tumbling today

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

Are you looking for exposure to lithium? Well, if you are, then it could be worth considering Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) shares.

That’s the view of analysts at Bell Potter, who remain bullish on the lithium miner following its half-year results release this week.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter notes that Liontown delivered a half-year result that was largely in line with expectations.

But the real highlight was its balance sheet reset, which it believes is a major positive. The broker explains:

LTR reported revenue of $208m, underlying EBITDA of -$8m (BP est. -$25m) and underlying NPAT of -$89m (BP est. -$98m). Statutory net loss after tax of -$184m includes a -$104m non-recurring, non-cash fair value movement on the LGES Convertible Note derivative. The company’s balance sheet is strong following the LGES note conversion. At 31 December 2025, LTR had cash of $390m (previously reported). We estimate pro forma (post LG note conversion) net cash (excluding leases) of $32m.

FY26 guidance was reiterated, tracking to a stronger 2H with a higher portion of clean underground ore that will boost plant recoveries (1H FY26 61%) and production volumes (1H FY26 190kt), and materially stronger lithium market prices (spot SC6 US$2,220/t; 1H FY26 average US$955/t).

In addition, Bell Potter highlights that Liontown is looking at a brownfield expansion, with results from a study due to be released in the middle of the year. It adds:

The recent strength in lithium markets has motivated the company to revisit Kathleen Valley expansion options, potentially taking mining and plant throughput to 4Mtpa (from 2.8Mtpa) through de-bottlenecking and incremental capacity additions. A study is expected to be completed in mid-2026 and FID is subject to sustained lithium market strength and Board approvals. Current lithium market strength supports the expansion; at this stage we expect a positive decision.

Should you buy Liontown shares?

According to the note, Bell Potter has retained its buy rating and $2.42 price target on Liontown shares.

Based on its current share price of $1.62, this implies potential upside of 49% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said:

LTR is now in a net cash position. Over FY26-27, LTR will continue to ramp up and de-risk Kathleen Valley. With current lithium price strength, LTR can rapidly generate cash to support incremental production expansions and shareholder returns. Kathleen Valley is highly strategic in terms of scale, long project life and location in a tier-one mining jurisdiction. LTR has offtake contracts with top-tier EV and battery OEMs. The company has a strong balance sheet with long tenor debt finance.

The post Are Liontown shares a buy after its results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Why EOS, GQG, Liontown, and Temple & Webster shares are tumbling today
• Liontown shares drop on $184m half-year loss
• Liontown: Production and revenue jump as underground ramp-up continues
• Australia’s next great ASX mining boom: Are we already in it?

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.

Many investors eventually reach a point where they have some spare cash ready to put into the share market.

Whether that money is being used to start a new position, add to an existing holding, or simply take advantage of opportunities in the market, the key question becomes the same: Which companies are worth backing right now?

If I had $10,000 available to invest today, these are five ASX 200 shares I would be happy buying.

HUB24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

One company that continues to impress me is HUB24.

The wealth platform provider has become one of the fastest-growing financial technology businesses on the Australian share market. Its platform continues to attract strong inflows as financial advisers move client assets onto modern technology platforms.

That shift away from legacy systems toward newer digital platforms still appears to have a long runway. HUB24 has consistently been gaining market share and growing funds under administration, which, in turn, supports rising revenue and earnings.

What I like most about its platform model is the operating leverage. As funds grow on the platform, the company can generate increasing revenue without needing to grow costs at the same pace.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

Sigma has become a much stronger business following its merger with Chemist Warehouse.

The combined group now brings together one of Australia’s largest pharmaceutical distribution networks with one of the most recognisable pharmacy retail brands in the country.

That combination gives Sigma a powerful position across the healthcare supply chain. It also provides access to the scale and customer reach of the Chemist Warehouse brand, which has expanded rapidly across Australia and internationally.

Healthcare demand tends to be resilient, and with a much larger and more integrated business model in place, Sigma looks positioned to benefit from that demand over the long term.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

In my view, Lovisa is one of the most impressive retail growth stories on the ASX.

The jewellery retailer has built a simple but highly scalable business model focused on affordable fashion jewellery and rapid product turnover. That model has translated well internationally, allowing Lovisa to expand aggressively across new markets.

What stands out is the pace of store openings. The company continues to add new locations across Europe, North America, and Asia, steadily expanding its global footprint.

With thousands of potential store locations still available worldwide, Lovisa appears to have a very long growth runway ahead. This could be boosted further by its new brand, Jewells. However, it is still early days for its rollout.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

BHP remains one of the most important ASX 200 shares on the Australian market.

The mining giant owns some of the world’s largest and longest-life resources assets, spanning iron ore, copper, coal, and potash.

What particularly attracts me today is BHP’s growing exposure to copper. Copper is expected to play a critical role in electrification, renewable energy, and the global energy transition, which could drive strong demand in the years ahead.

While commodity prices fluctuate, companies with large, low-cost resources often become long-term winners.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Every portfolio benefits from having some defensive businesses.

For me, Woolworths is one of the clearest examples of that on the ASX. The company operates Australia’s largest supermarket chain and generates billions of dollars in recurring grocery sales each year.

Supermarkets tend to perform relatively consistently because people still need to buy food regardless of economic conditions.

Woolworths also continues investing in its supply chain, digital capabilities, and retail network. Those investments should help it maintain its leadership position in the years ahead.

Foolish Takeaway

When I’m looking for ASX 200 shares to buy, I’m usually searching for businesses with strong competitive positions and long-term growth opportunities.

HUB24, Sigma, Lovisa, BHP, and Woolworths each have qualities that I believe make them compelling long-term investments.

The post 5 incredible ASX 200 shares I’d buy with $10,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 26 ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week
• Ord Minnett names 2 ASX 200 shares to accumulate with 10% and 20% upside
• Why is this ASX 200 stock crashing 9% today?
• How I’d start building an ASX retirement portfolio today
• Just 3 ASX ETFs could build a lazy Australian millionaire portfolio

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Hub24 and Lovisa. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Hub24 and Lovisa. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, Hub24, and Lovisa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Oil prices have surged overnight as the ongoing war in the Middle East continues to raise concerns about the global energy supply.

According to Trading Economics, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude jumped more than 10% to US$96 per barrel, while Brent crude climbed to US$101 per barrel.

The sharp move higher could set the stage for another strong session for Australian energy producers when the market opens.

Two ASX 200 companies that may attract attention today are Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO). Both stocks have already been rallying in recent weeks.

Oil rally driven by supply fears

The surge in oil prices comes as geopolitical risks in the Middle East intensify.

Markets are focused on potential disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy transit routes.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, around 20 million barrels of oil and petroleum products pass through the Strait of Hormuz each day. This is equivalent to roughly 20% of global oil consumption.

The route is also critical for gas markets. Estimates indicate around 20% of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade moves through the strait, with much of it exported from Qatar to Asian markets.

Analysts warn that if the strait is significantly disrupted, millions of barrels of daily oil supply will be affected. Some forecasts suggest crude prices could climb toward US$120 per barrel or higher if exports from the Persian Gulf are halted.

Woodside shares already climbing

The oil rally has already been supporting the share price of Woodside.

Shares in Woodside recently closed at $31.05, giving the company a market capitalisation of about $59 billion.

Over the past month, the Woodside share price has climbed around 18%, as stronger oil prices improved investor sentiment toward energy producers.

Woodside is Australia’s largest independent oil and gas company and generates significant revenue from LNG and crude production.

If the surge in crude continues, investors may expect further strength in the Woodside share price when trading begins.

Santos shares also gaining momentum

Shares in Santos have also been trending higher.

The Santos share price recently finished at $7.49, giving the company a market capitalisation of roughly $24 billion.

The stock has risen around 10% over the past month, supported by the rebound in global oil markets.

Foolish takeaway

The key question for energy investors is whether oil prices can keep rising.

With WTI crude trading US$96 per barrel, markets will be watching closely to see if prices push back above the US$100 level.

If geopolitical tensions remain elevated and supply risks continue, Woodside and Santos will likely remain in focus on the ASX today.

The post Oil surges 10% overnight. Here are 2 ASX 200 stocks to watch today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• $10,000 invested in Droneshield and Woodside shares just 1 week ago is now worth…
• Why are Ampol, Beach Energy shares jumping higher again today?
• Why Collins Foods, St George Mining, Whitehaven Coal, and Woodside shares are pushing higher today
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

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.

Turning $10,000 into $100,000 might sound ambitious, but it is far from impossible.

If an investor can achieve an average return of around 10% per year, the power of compounding can gradually turn a relatively small starting investment into something much larger.

Of course, returns are never guaranteed and markets can be volatile in the short term. But for investors willing to take a long-term approach, compounding can be a powerful force.

The power of compounding

If an investor started with $10,000 and a balanced ASX share portfolio, and earned a 10% annual return, doing nothing else, the investment would grow significantly over time.

At that rate, it would take just under 25 years for the original $10,000 to grow into roughly $100,000.

That might feel like a long time. But the key point is that the growth accelerates over time as returns begin generating returns of their own. This is the core idea behind compounding.

The good news is that investors don’t have to rely solely on a one-off investment. Regular contributions can dramatically speed up the process.

For example, starting with $10,000 and then adding $500 a month to ASX shares would take just 8.5 years to reach $100,000 with a 10% per annum average return.

How to aim for a 10% return

While no return is guaranteed, many investors aim for long-term returns of around 10% by focusing on high-quality ASX shares that can grow their earnings over time.

The key is not trying to predict short-term market movements. Instead, the focus is on owning companies with strong competitive positions and long runways for expansion.

Many successful ASX growth companies share several common characteristics.

First, they often operate in industries benefiting from structural growth. Technology, healthcare, and digital platforms are good examples where demand continues to expand globally.

Second, the best businesses tend to have scalable business models. Once their platforms or products are built, they can grow revenue much faster than costs, which can drive strong profit growth.

Third, strong competitive advantages are important. Companies with powerful brands, specialised technology, or deep customer relationships are often harder for competitors to disrupt.

This is why long-term investors often look at companies such as Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME), WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), and Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) when searching for businesses with the potential to compound earnings over many years.

Staying invested for the long term

Perhaps the most important factor in turning $10,000 into $100,000 is time.

Even the best companies experience periods where their share prices fall due to market sentiment, interest rate changes, or economic uncertainty. Investors who focus too much on short-term volatility can end up selling great businesses too early.

Instead, the long-term approach is often about staying invested in high-quality companies and allowing their growth to compound over time.

When combined with regular investing and patience, this strategy has the potential to gradually transform a modest starting investment into a much larger portfolio.

The post How to turn $10,000 into $100,000 with ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 ASX growth shares tipped to double in value
• Where to invest $20,000 in ASX shares after the market selloff
• 2 ASX growth stocks to buy now and hold for 10 years
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Goodman, Scentre Group, Stockland: Why are ASX 200 real estate stocks tumbling in 2026?

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

The Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) share price is in focus today after the gold miner flagged it may miss the lower end of its full-year production forecast, with operational challenges impacting FY26 so far.

What did Northern Star report?

• Total gold sales for January and February 2026: 220,000 ounces (koz)
• FY26 production now expected above 1.50 million ounces (Moz), previously guided higher
• Weaker-than-planned milling performance at KCGM and reduced mining productivity at Jundee weighed on results
• KCGM mine open pit high-grade ore mined: averaged 1.6g/t for the first two months of 2026
• KCGM mill expansion project remains on track for early FY27 commissioning

What else do investors need to know?

Northern Star’s board and management said operational pressures remain high, as the company faced difficulties achieving required throughput at the existing KCGM mill. The main priority for the coming months is to set up Northern Star to realise its full potential in FY27, rather than focusing solely on this year’s guidance.

The KCGM mill expansion, designed to lift future production, remains on schedule with about 800 contractors working on the plant. In the meantime, KCGM’s run-of-mine stockpiles of high-grade ore have grown to around 100koz, which should benefit output once the expanded mill comes online.

At Jundee, a review is under way to cut costs and focus on higher-margin ounces, with personnel and equipment to be redeployed to more profitable areas during the June quarter.

What did Northern Star management say?

Managing Director & CEO Stuart Tonkin said:

Front of mind for Management and the Board is that efforts to achieve the FY26 forecast do not compromise the transition to the new plant and have negative implications for Q1 next year. To deal with that concern, Management’s focus over the next four months will be to set the Company up to achieve its full potential from the start of FY27 and not on the achievement of short-term guidance above all else. The production focus over this period will be on extracting ounces in the most effective way, from both a cost and mining efficiency perspective.

What’s next for Northern Star?

Northern Star expects to provide more detail on FY26 production and costs with its March quarterly results on 22 April 2026. Beyond near-term operational headwinds, the company’s main focus is hitting a strong start to FY27 as the expanded KCGM mill comes online.

Management is also working on refreshed medium-term forecasts across its assets, aiming to give investors more clarity around production, costs and capital needs later in the year.

Northern Star share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Northern Star resources shares have risen 54%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 11% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Northern Star trims FY26 guidance and updates on KCGM mill expansion appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Westgold Resources secures $600m syndicated facility in balance sheet boost
• Whitehaven Coal earns credit ratings boost, paving way for refinancing
• Liontown: Production and revenue jump as underground ramp-up continues

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart 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. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

Dividend investors often face a frustrating trade-off.

The highest-quality income shares on the ASX frequently trade at premium valuations, which means the dividend yield can look relatively modest. On the other hand, the Australian stocks offering the biggest yields sometimes come with elevated risk.

Every so often, though, a well-established business falls out of favour and the share price drops to a level where both valuation and income start to look compelling.

Right now, I think Amcor Plc (ASX: AMC) fits that description.

A global packaging giant

Amcor is one of the world’s largest packaging companies, supplying flexible and rigid packaging solutions to major consumer brands across food, beverages, healthcare, and household products.

What I like about this business is the resilience of its end markets. Demand for packaging tends to remain relatively stable even when economic conditions weaken, because consumers continue to buy everyday essentials.

That kind of stability can be valuable for income investors. Companies operating in defensive industries often have greater visibility over future cash flows, which supports their ability to maintain and grow dividends over time.

Amcor’s global footprint also provides diversification across markets and customers, reducing reliance on any single economy or industry.

A share price pullback

Despite these strengths, the Australian dividend stock has been under pressure and is down roughly 25% from its recent highs.

When I see a well-established business fall that far, I tend to take a closer look. Sometimes the market is signalling deeper problems, but other times the decline creates an opportunity for long-term investors.

In Amcor’s case, the current valuation looks relatively modest for a company with stable earnings and strong cash flow.

Attractive income potential

Based on consensus estimates compiled by CommSec, Amcor is expected to generate earnings per share of $5.39 in FY26, rising to $5.77 in FY27 and $6.50 in FY28.

With the shares currently trading at $59.58, that places the stock on roughly 11 times forecast FY26 earnings.

At the same time, the dividend outlook looks very appealing to me.

Consensus forecasts point to dividends per share of $3.68 in FY26, increasing slightly to $3.75 in FY27 and $3.82 in FY28. At the current share price, that equates to a forward dividend yield of about 6.2%.

For investors seeking income, that is a meaningful yield from a business with global scale and relatively defensive demand.

A long-term income opportunity

Amcor is unlikely to be the fastest-growing company on the ASX, but that may not matter for income investors.

The appeal here lies in reliable earnings, strong cash generation, and the ability to distribute a large portion of profits back to shareholders.

With the shares trading at a relatively modest earnings multiple and offering a yield above 6%, I think this Australian dividend stock could be worth considering as a long-term income holding.

The post 1 cheap Australian dividend stock down 25% to buy and hold appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Diversification: Why earnings geography matters more than company location
• Why I’d forget NAB shares and buy these top Aussie stocks
• 16 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week
• 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts

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