Tag: Stock pick

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) shares are on a tear.

The investment bank’s shares have jumped 23% over the past month and are now up 35% for the year, pushing toward fresh all-time highs. At around $241.27, Macquarie is trading just shy of record levels, and investors are piling in.

So what’s driving the surge?

Global exposure

Unlike traditional lenders, Macquarie is far more than just a bank. While $90 billion Macquarie shares rank as the fifth-largest member of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) banking cohort by market value, its business model is significantly more diversified.

Macquarie operates across 34 global markets, spanning asset management, infrastructure investment, commodities trading, advisory, and capital markets. Around two-thirds of its earnings come from offshore, reducing reliance on the Australian economy and adding a layer of geographic diversification.

That breadth is proving particularly valuable right now. While major banks tend to rely heavily on lending margins, Macquarie’s exposure to trading and capital markets can actually benefit during periods of volatility. With markets swinging and commodity prices shifting, that flexibility has become a major advantage.

Hybrid financial

And the growth is backing it up.

In its third-quarter update for FY26, Macquarie reported solid momentum across key divisions. Macquarie Asset Management saw assets under management rise 3% quarter on quarter, while its Banking and Financial Services segment delivered a 6% lift in deposits. The home loan portfolio also expanded by 7%, pointing to steady underlying demand.

In short, multiple parts of the business are firing at once. That combination of diversification and growth is a big reason investors are re-rating Macquarie shares. It’s not just a defensive financial, it’s a hybrid model that can capture upside in different market conditions.

What next for Macquarie shares?

Analysts are taking notice. Stronger financial performance, combined with positive market momentum, has led brokers to lift their expectations, particularly in areas like asset management and trading.

According to TradingView data, 10 out of 15 brokers rate Macquarie shares as a buy or strong buy, with four sitting on a hold. The average price target is $243.50, suggesting the stock is already close to fair value after its recent rally.

But not everyone thinks the run is over. Morgan Stanley recently upgraded Macquarie to an overweight rating, setting a $270 price target. That implies potential upside of around 12% from current levels.

The broker believes Macquarie is well-positioned to benefit from ongoing volatility in commodity markets and sees scope for further earnings growth across its divisions.

Foolish Takeaway

Macquarie’s rally isn’t just about sentiment. It reflects a business that is executing well, growing across multiple fronts, and thriving in an uncertain environment.

For investors, that’s a powerful combination and one that explains why demand for the shares remains so strong.

The post Why is everyone buying Macquarie shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week

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

The Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) share price is in focus after the company announced improved depletions momentum in the third quarter of FY26 and a transition to a new regional operating model to drive sustainable long-term growth.

What did Treasury Wine Estates report?

• Transition to a new regional operating model across four divisions, effective 1 October 2026
• Penfolds depletions in China up 40% over Chinese New Year (seasonally adjusted); overall US depletions up 9.1% vs prior period
• New $300 million debt commitments secured, with liquidity expected to exceed $1 billion at FY26 year-end
• 11% depletions growth in ANZ and 14% in Asia ex-China in 3Q26
• Company reiterates that 2H26 EBITS expected to be higher than 1H26

What else do investors need to know?

TWE’s new operating model will consolidate its global business into four geographic regions, aiming to boost accountability and accelerate market-level decision-making. The approach is expected to streamline operations and improve cost efficiency, with a target for $100 million in annual operating cost optimisation over two to three years.

The company highlighted strong brands like Penfolds, DAOU, Frank Family Vineyards, and Stags’ Leap as drivers of depletions growth in their respective markets. TWE has also completed securing new debt to refinance upcoming maturities, ensuring solid balance sheet strength.

The executive team is being realigned as part of this transformation, with several leadership changes and new roles announced to drive the new operating model.

What did Treasury Wine Estates management say?

Chief Executive Officer Sam Fischer said:

We are reshaping TWE to drive clearer accountability for performance and to enable faster, more market-connected decision-making as a foundation for consistent depletions growth. Combining the deep local insight of our in-market teams with the scale and expertise of our global functions will step change in-market execution, whilst retaining our enhanced focus on Penfolds and other priority luxury brands. I am pleased with the progress we are making on elevating our focus on depletions performance across our key markets, and we remain focused on continuing the improved momentum.

What’s next for Treasury Wine Estates?

Investors will hear more detail on the company’s strategic priorities and financial targets at Treasury Wine’s Investor Day on 4 June 2026. The company aims to finalise its brand portfolio strategy and fully implement its regional operating model by October, with initial cost benefits expected to begin in FY27.

Treasury Wine continues to monitor global economic and geopolitical conditions but does not expect current events, including the Middle East conflict, to materially impact FY26 results. Management remains focused on depletions-led growth, luxury brand investment, and operational efficiency.

Treasury Wine Estates share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Treasury Wine shares have declined 53%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 15% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Treasury Wine Estates improves depletions and unveils regional model appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Treasury Wine Estates. 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.

Despite tariff turmoil and geopolitical conflict, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has shown resilience in the past year. 

Australia’s benchmark index sits 14% higher today than it did a year ago. 

But it hasn’t been smooth sailing for every ASX 200 company. 

Three recognisable names have been heavily sold off in that span: 

• Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) is down 50% in the last 12 months
• REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) has fallen almost 26%
• Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL) is 22% lower

However, all three of these ASX 200 stocks have shown signs of life this month, rebounding from near 52-week lows. 

Is this a sign of a longer-term recovery, or a value trap?

Let’s see what experts are saying. 

Treasury Wine Estates

Treasury Wine Estates is an Australia-based global wine company. 

It is among the world’s top five wine producers and owns a portfolio of more than 70 brands, including Australian labels such as Penfolds, Lindemans, and Wolf Blass.

It has been one of the worst-performing ASX 200 stocks, and actually hit its lowest point in over 10 years recently.

Several headwinds have influenced this historic drop: 

• Parallel imports disrupting pricing integrity in China have been specifically called out as a problem for the company’s Penfolds brand
• The company flagged a major impairment tied to its US business in early December 2025, as long-term growth assumptions were marked down in a softer American wine market
• Treasury Wine pulled its earnings guidance for 2026 and paused an A$200 million share buyback, citing weak sales of its flagship Penfolds wines in China

In summary, the deeper structural issue is that Penfolds in China and luxury US brands have stalled simultaneously in both key markets, leaving investors questioning whether the company’s valuation premium was ever justified.

In the last month, the ASX 200 stock has recovered 13%. 

Despite this small recovery, brokers are largely neutral on this ASX 200 stock, with 12 out of 17 analysts listing it as a hold. 

REA Group

REA Group is an online real estate advertising company that provides property and property-related services on websites and mobile apps. 

In the last 12 months, this ASX 200 stock has fallen significantly; however, since late March, it has recovered more than 16%.

It was weighed down over the past year by negative sentiment driven by AI disruption fears. 

Despite these fears, experts have reiterated this year that REA’s market position should hold it in good stead and that replacement worries are perhaps overblown. 

It closed yesterday at $176.44, which brokers believe is a relative value. 

12 out of 15 analysts via TradingView list it as either a buy or strong buy, with an average price target suggesting 20% upside. 

Aristocrat Leisure

Aristocrat Leisure is an Australian gaming technology company licensed in around 340 gaming jurisdictions in more than 100 countries. 

This ASX 200 stock has also rebounded slightly from its yearly lows this month. 

Since late March, it has climbed 7%. 

Experts believe this can continue long term.

It received a buy recommendation yesterday from the team at Catapult Wealth, and currently has a one-year average price target of $65.35 based on 15 analyst ratings. 

This price target is 36% higher than yesterday’s closing price of $47.93.

The post Down 50% in the past year, are these ASX 200 shares too cheap to ignore? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) share price is in focus today as the company delivered record customer cash receipts of $77.4 million—up 360% on the same period last year—and posted its second-highest quarterly revenue of $74.1 million, a 121% increase compared to 1Q25.

What did DroneShield report?

• Revenue: $74.1 million, up 121% on 1Q25
• Customer cash receipts: $77.4 million, up 360% from 1Q25
• SaaS revenues: $5.1 million, up 205% year on year; 6.9% of total revenue
• Net operating cash flow: $24.1 million, fourth consecutive positive quarter
• Closing cash balance: $222.8 million, up 13% from 1Q25 with no debt
• FY2026 committed revenue: $154.8 million as at 20 April 2026

What else do investors need to know?

DroneShield says repeat and new orders flowed steadily through the quarter, driving a $59 million increase in committed revenue since the start of 2026. The business is now sitting on its largest potential sales pipeline yet, valued at $2.2 billion across 312 projects in over 60 countries.

With a strong cash position, DroneShield highlighted ongoing expansion efforts. It added new regional manufacturing, particularly in Europe and the US, and continues to ramp up R&D spending, which exceeds $70 million per year.

What’s next for DroneShield?

DroneShield plans to launch new hardware and software products starting in the third quarter of 2026, with a longer-term ambition to reach $1 billion in annual revenue and grow recurring SaaS revenues to over 30% by 2030. The company also aims to further expand its global presence, diversify its end-user base, and strengthen its regional manufacturing capabilities.

Management remains committed to investing in people, R&D, and selective M&A to sustain its growth momentum, while maintaining flexibility with a strong balance sheet.

DroneShield share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, DroneShield shares have risen 217%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has rise 15% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post DroneShield delivers record 1Q26 revenue and cash receipts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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. 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.

Starting with $1,000 might not seem like much, but I think it is one of the most important steps an investor can take.

Getting started early gives you time in the market, and that is where a lot of the long-term benefit comes from. The goal at this stage is to build a simple approach that you can stick with and continue adding to over time.

Here is how I would go about it.

Keep it simple to begin with

With $1,000, I think simplicity is important.

Trying to spread that amount across too many ASX shares can make things harder to manage and dilute the impact of each investment. I would focus on one or two positions to start with and build from there.

That keeps the portfolio easy to follow and makes it clearer how each investment is performing.

Start with broad exposure

One approach I like is to begin with an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that gives exposure to a large part of the market.

For example, the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) provides access to many of the largest companies listed on the ASX in a single investment. That includes businesses across sectors such as banking, mining, and healthcare.

Alternatively, the iShares S&P 500 AUD ETF (ASX: IVV) does the same for the US market.

This kind of exposure can help reduce risk while still allowing you to participate in the overall growth of the market.

Add a high-quality ASX share

Alongside an ETF, I would consider adding one individual ASX share.

The focus here would be on quality. I would look for a business with a strong position in its industry and the ability to grow over time.

For example, ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD) has a long history of growth in global healthcare, while Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) has built a portfolio of strong retail and industrial businesses, including Kmart and Bunnings.

Owning companies like these can add a different dimension to the portfolio alongside the ETF.

Invest regularly over time

The first $1,000 is just the starting point.

What matters more is the habit that follows. Adding to your investments regularly, even in smaller amounts, can build momentum over time.

This approach also helps smooth out market movements, as you are investing across different conditions rather than trying to pick the perfect moment.

Stay focused on the long term

Share prices will move around in the short term.

What matters is how the businesses and investments perform over time. 

Keeping a long-term mindset can make it easier to stay invested and avoid reacting to short-term changes.

Foolish takeaway

Getting started with $1,000 is about building a foundation.

A simple mix of broad market exposure and high-quality ASX shares can be a solid way to begin. Over time, adding regularly and staying focused on the long term can turn that first investment into something much larger.

The post How to start investing in ASX shares with $1,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ResMed, Wesfarmers, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Wesfarmers 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.

The Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) share price is focus today after releasing its March quarter update, which showed uranium production rose 5% to 1.29 million pounds and full-year production guidance was increased.

What did Paladin Energy report?

• Uranium production (U₃O₈) increased to 1.29Mlb, up 5% from the previous quarter
• Year-to-date FY2026 uranium production: 3.59Mlb
• Sales volumes of 1.03Mlb U₃O₈ at an average realised price of US$68.3 per pound
• Cost of production for the quarter: US$40.3 per pound
• FY2026 Langer Heinrich Mine production guidance lifted to 4.5–4.8Mlb (from 4.0–4.4Mlb)
• Cash and investments at quarter end: US$219.5 million; undrawn US$70 million credit facility

What else do investors need to know?

Paladin received key environmental approval for development of its Patterson Lake South (PLS) Project in Canada, an important milestone towards construction. Exploration drilling at both Patterson Lake South and the Michelin Project continued, with a focus on extending mine life and evaluating new resource potential.

The company is actively engaging with Indigenous and local communities in Canada and is defending against a legal challenge to the recent approval at PLS. Operations at the flagship Langer Heinrich Mine continue to ramp up, staying on track for full production by the end of the financial year.

What did Paladin Energy management say?

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Paul Hemburrow said:

Our Langer Heinrich Mine continues to perform strongly and activities at the site are in line with our commitment to complete the ramp-up to full operations by the end of the financial year. We were pleased to increase our production guidance for the full year as a result of the hard work and sustained effort of our team and key contractors to successfully mobilise the mining fleet, along with the improved feed grade and the delivery of high recovery rates from the processing plant. While achieving consistency in mining and production has been our focus throughout the year, we are monitoring potential impacts from events in the Middle East. Inbound shipments from suppliers to Langer Heinrich Mine are currently unaffected by the conflict, with our team closely monitoring the situation and taking the necessary steps to secure supply chains for key inputs into production. Outbound shipments of U₃O₈ to customers are not currently impacted. We were pleased to receive Environmental Approval for the PLS Project from the Saskatchewan Government and are now focused on progressing the next regulatory steps to obtain our construction license for this significant uranium development. Our Canadian approvals effort is being complemented by an active winter drilling campaign at PLS to further prove up the known deposit and examine prospective new areas around the proposed mine.

What’s next for Paladin Energy?

Paladin is guiding for increased uranium production at Langer Heinrich Mine for FY2026, and its ramp-up to full operations remains on schedule for year-end. The business is also focused on progressing regulatory steps for the PLS Project in Canada, including advancing construction licence applications and ongoing engagement with local communities.

Exploration at both Canadian assets continues, with an aim to further grow resources and extend mine lives. Management notes that the company is monitoring geopolitical risks, particularly in the Middle East, but so far supply chains and customer deliveries remain unaffected.

Paladin Energy share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Paladin Energy shares have risen 242%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 15% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Paladin Energy boosts uranium production and lifts FY26 guidance appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.

The ASX stock market is a great place to find ideas that have a good reputation for passive income. I much prefer a business that can deliver high and growing dividends over time, compared to a term deposit that offers limited payments.

The farmland landlord Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that ticks many of the boxes I’d want to see if I were investing for reliable passive income.

Let’s look at why it’s a compelling option for generating $50 per week of income.

Strong choice for passive income

Rural Funds doesn’t pay a distribution every single week, but it does pay more regularly than many other ASX dividend shares. It pays on a quarterly basis. If an investor did want a weekly amount, they could just divide the quarterly amount into 13 weekly amounts or divide the annual amount into 52 pieces.

Rural Funds has provided guidance that it’s going to pay an annual distribution of 11.73 cents per unit for FY26.

To receive $50 per week, we’re talking about an annual total of $2,600. Using the projected payout for FY26, that means an investor would need to own 22,166 Rural Funds units for the desired passive income.

In the last few years, the business has maintained its distribution at 11.73 cents per unit, which I think is an appealing result for investors considering how much of a negative impact higher interest rates were (and could be again).

At the time of writing, the projection translates into a distribution yield of 5.8%.

But prior to FY23, the business had a track record of growing its annual distribution by at least 4% in most years between FY14 and FY22.

I think the business can grow its distribution again over time because of a few different factors.

Strong rental potential

Most of the rental income of the business benefits from annual rental indexation.

That rental growth is either a fixed annual increase or the increase is linked to inflation.

With that tailwind behind it, I think the farms’ value and distribution payout can steadily improve over time, even if there are headwinds in the near-term.

On top of that, Rural Funds is investing in its farms to help improve the productivity and rental potential of the real estate. Those investments can include changing farms to a more rewarding crop, as well as investing in increasing water access and storage at a particular farm.

Investing in Rural Funds now seems like a great time because it’s trading at a significant discount to its adjusted net asset value (NAV) of $3.10 as of 31 December 2025.

The post I’d buy 22,166 shares of this ASX stock to aim for $50 a week of passive income appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Rural Funds Group. 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 Rural Funds Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price is in focus after the mining giant delivered strong operational performance for the nine months to 31 March 2026, including record output at Escondida and WAIO, and expectations for FY26 copper production in the upper half of guidance.

What did BHP Group report?

• Total copper production for YTD March FY26 fell 3% to 1,461 kt, but average realised copper price jumped 31% to US$5.47/lb year on year.
• Iron ore production increased 2% to 197 Mt, with record material mined at WAIO.
• Steelmaking coal output rose 1% to 13.0 Mt; energy coal production rose 11% to 12.2 Mt, though average realised price dropped 15%.
• Copper guidance for FY26 remains at 1,900–2,000 kt, now expected at the top of the range, led by Escondida and Antamina.
• The company realised approximately US$4.8 billion in divestment proceeds, including the Antamina silver stream and sale of Carajás.
• Unit cost guidance at Escondida lowered to US$1.00–1.20/lb for FY26, reflecting strong operational and by-product performance.

What else do investors need to know?

BHP continued to make progress on its copper growth program, submitting an environmental application for a new concentrator at Escondida and advancing the Resolution Copper project in the US. The group also finalised several divestments, enhancing its balance sheet and capital flexibility.

A major leadership change is coming, with President Americas Brandon Craig set to become CEO from 1 July 2026, succeeding Mike Henry after six and a half years in the top job. Craig brings over 25 years of experience at BHP, including expanding the company’s copper footprint.

The company’s centralised procurement and low-cost operations provide resilience against global cost pressures, particularly higher energy and consumables costs related to ongoing Middle East tensions.

What did BHP Group management say?

BHP Chief Executive Officer Mike Henry said:

BHP has delivered strong performance over the past nine months, including record material mined and concentrator throughput at Escondida and record production at WAIO. These results reflect the consistency of our operations and the strength of our high margin diversified portfolio in an evolving operating environment. From 1 July 2026, Brandon Craig will assume the role of CEO, taking BHP forward from a strong position with reliable operations and a significant pipeline of copper and potash growth projects, to deliver long term value through the cycle.

What’s next for BHP Group?

Looking ahead, BHP expects to deliver FY26 copper and iron ore output at the upper end of guidance. The group is continuing to advance expansion projects in copper and potash, including major developments at Escondida, Resolution Copper, and Jansen in Canada.

Capital discipline remains a focus alongside extracting further value from divested non-core assets. The upcoming CEO transition is set to support delivery of long-term growth and operational stability.

BHP Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, the BHP Group shares have risen 52%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 15% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post BHP Group delivers record copper and iron ore output, announces CEO succession appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Iluka Resources quarterly earnings: revenue, production, and project updates
• Scentre Group earnings: sales rise and more visitors for Westfield in 2026
• Perpetual provides Q3 FY26 update: reveals AUM decline, Corporate Trust growth
• Ampol Q1 2026 trading update: Refiner margins soar, production lifts
• NEXTDC completes $1bn institutional entitlement offer to fund growth

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 recommended BHP Group. 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.

The Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) share price is in focus today following a trading update that includes a reduction to the company’s FY26 underlying net profit guidance and softer implant demand in developed markets.

What did Cochlear report?

• Second half FY26 sales growth now expected at 2–6% in constant currency (CC)
• FY26 underlying net profit guidance reduced to $290–330 million (was $435–460 million)
• Revenue for cochlear implants in developed markets flat for the recent quarter in CC
• Services revenue up 13% in the third quarter (CC); Acoustics revenue up 11% (CC)
• Additional FY26 profit impacts of up to $10 million (provisions for Middle East receivables), $20 million (lower gross margin), $18–25 million (cost base reshaping), and $25 million (FX impact after tax)

What else do investors need to know?

Softer trading in developed markets is being driven by hospital capacity constraints and a decline in referrals from the hearing aid channel, especially in the US and parts of Europe. Cochlear also faces growing uncertainty in the Middle East, with potential order cancellations and delayed deliveries due to regional conflict.

On a positive note, the company’s services and acoustics segments continue to show strong revenue growth, aided by new product launches and an expanding installed base. Cochlear says it has a robust R&D pipeline and remains focused on investing in long-term growth, particularly in the adults and seniors segment.

What did Cochlear management say?

CEO and President Dig Howitt, said:

Addressing hearing loss in adults and seniors continues to be treated as a discretionary intervention, highlighting the importance of our strategy to medicalise hearing loss so that treatment is recognised as an important health priority.

We remain confident of our market leadership. We have seen strong adoption of the Nucleus® Nexa System across the developed markets, with very positive customer feedback and a strong interest in exploring the system’s potential to further improve hearing outcomes. With contracting of the new system complete, market share has been improving.

What’s next for Cochlear?

Cochlear plans to accelerate investment in the adults and seniors market and reshape its cost base to enable further growth. This includes reallocating resources towards strengthening referral pathways, enhancing commercial execution, and ongoing R&D for product innovation.

Despite near-term challenges, management says the company is positioned for long-term sustainable growth with a broad technology pipeline, including next-generation and totally implantable cochlear implants in regulatory trials.

Cochlear share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Cochlear shares have declined 35%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 15% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Cochlear cuts FY26 earnings outlook amid softer sales appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 positions in and has recommended Cochlear. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear. 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.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are a popular option in the energy sector.

However, with its shares rising strongly over the past 12 months, investors might find better returns elsewhere.

But where? Let’s look at one ASX energy stock that Bell Potter is tipping as a buy.

Which ASX energy stock is Bell Potter bullish on?

The stock Bell Potter is recommending to clients is Amplitude Energy Ltd (ASX: AEL).

It is an energy exploration and development company focused on conventional gas projects in southeast Australia.

Bell Potter was pleased with the energy stock’s performance in the third quarter of FY 2026. It highlights that production and sales volumes were ahead of expectations. It said:

AEL reported March 2026 quarterly production of 6.9PJe (BP est. 6.7PJe), gas sales of 6.8PJe (BP est. 6.7PJe) and revenue of $74m (BP est. $81m). The Orbost Gas Plant continues to perform strongly (quarter average at nameplate of 68TJ/day) with trials above nameplate achieving a 7-day average of 71TJ/day. Otways field decline continued, though should benefit in future quarters from re-establishment of production at the Casino-4 well.

Realised prices were again higher at $10.74/GJ, with weaker spot gas prices offsetting contract prices which reset higher from 1 January 2026. The company noted that group production, with year-to-date averaging 75.7TJe/day, is tracking to the upper end of FY26 guidance (73-77TJe/day).

Big potential returns

In response to the update, Bell Potter has retained its buy rating and $2.70 price target on the ASX energy stock.

Based on its current share price of $1.58, this implies potential upside of 70% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its buy recommendation, the broker said:

AEL’s conventional gas assets deliver into Australia’s east coast market. Debottlenecking at Orbost should incrementally lift near-term production. AEL’s realised prices should incrementally lift as new Gas Sales Agreements are signed.

Spot gas prices in peak seasons provide some upside. AEL’s ESCP is fully funded and should lift group production from 2028, with the development of an existing discovery and at least one relatively low-risk exploration prospect. The ESCP utilises latent capacity in existing pipeline and processing infrastructure.

All in all, this could make it worth considering if you are looking for alternatives to Woodside shares right now.

The post Forget Woodside shares, this ASX energy stock could rise over 70% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group Ltd. 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.