Tag: Stock pick

  • Up 118%! Are PLS shares now a buy, hold or sell?

    A business person directs a pointed finger upwards on a rising arrow on a bar graph.

    PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares are pushing higher today.

    Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) lithium stock– formerly known as Pilbara Minerals – closed yesterday trading for $4.93. In late morning trade on Wednesday, shares are swapping hands for $4.96 each, up 0.6%.

    For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.4% amid renewed concerns over the enduring conflict in the Middle East.

    Today’s outperformance is par for the course for the Aussie lithium producer, with PLS shares up 117.7% since this time last year, smashing the 1.6% one-year gains posted by the benchmark index.

    Some of that strong performance has been fuelled by the 79% increase in global spodumene (a lithium bearing ore) prices. Though the miner has hardly been sitting idle.

    So, with PLS having turned $10,000 into $21,770 in the last 12 months, is the ASX lithium stock still a good buy today?

    PLS shares: Buy, hold, or sell?

    Dolphin Partners Financial Services’ Arthur Garipoli recently ran his slide rule over the lithium miner (courtesy of The Bull).

    “This high-quality pure play lithium producer recently delivered a solid June quarter report in fiscal year 2026,” he said.

    “Sales were up 28% compared to the March quarter and group revenue was up 31%,” Garipoli noted.

    PLS released those results on 30 July, with shares closing up 2.7% on the day. The revenue boost Garipoli mentioned saw the company report $743 million in revenue for the three months, with sales volumes of 249,900 tonnes.

    While Garipoli sounded a positive note on the miner, including renewed dividend potential, he issued a hold recommendation on PLS shares for now.

    According to Garipoli:

    The company has benefited from rising spodumene prices and sustains a solid balance sheet. Restarting the Ngungaju processing plant is expected to materially lift sales into full year 2027. Speculation exists that PLS may resume paying dividends following stronger than expected cash generation in full year 2026.

    In 2023, PLS paid two fully-franked dividends, totalling 25 cents per share. Those passive income payouts were suspended in 2024 amid slumping lithium prices.

    What’s ahead for the ASX 200 lithium stock?

    Looking to what could impact PLS shares in the months ahead, the company provided FY 2027 spodumene production guidance in the range of 1.03 million to 1.10 million tonnes, with growth spurred by the ramp up at the miner’s Ngungaju plant.

    Costs are also expected to rise, with PLS forecasting FY 2027 unit operating costs (FOB) between $575 to $625 per tonne.

    PLS also plans to increase its investment spend, forecasting full-year capital expenditure between $620 million to $685 million.

    The post Up 118%! Are PLS shares now a buy, hold or sell? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Pls Group right now?

    Before you buy Pls Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Pls Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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 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.

  • Why is this ASX retail stock crashing to new lows today?

    A woman looks shocked as she drinks a coffee while reading the paper.

    ASX retail stock Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) is getting hammered, plunging 17% to a new 52-week low of $4.18 on Wednesday.

    The stock is down 70% in 2026 and 82% over 12 months, vastly underperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

    And yet, the online retailer just delivered record revenue and stronger profitability. So, what’s going on?

    Temple & Webster keeps growing

    This $600 million ASX retail stock is one of Australia’s leading online retailers, selling hundreds of thousands of homewares, furniture, and home improvement products.

    And here’s a key part of the model: most products are shipped directly from suppliers. That gives Temple & Webster a remarkably capital-light model for the sheer volume of products flowing through its platform.

    Today’s numbers show the business is still moving forward. Revenue climbed 10.6% to $664.6 million, while EBITDA rose 16.6% to $21.9 million. Strip out foreign exchange effects, and underlying EBITDA jumped an impressive 28% to $25.9 million.

    Delivered margin improved 5.5% to $201 million, while the company ended FY26 with $122.7 million in cash after spending $30 million on share buybacks.

    Customer metrics were encouraging, too. Market share increased to 2.9%, active customers rose 5% to about 1.3 million, and repeat customers generated 62% of all orders, up from 59%.

    There are growth engines beyond the core business, too. Exclusive product lines and adjacent businesses are now generating more than $100 million in annual revenue. The New Zealand operation contributed $3 million since launching in October 2025, while home improvement revenue surged 39%.

    Temple & Webster also generated $24 million in operating cash flow, while fixed costs fell as a percentage of revenue.

    What did management say?

    Executive Chair Mark Coulter said:

    Despite a challenging environment, we have been able to deliver record annual revenue of $665 million, while materially improving the underlying profitability of the business through several margin optimisation initiatives. These initiatives, combined with the flexibility of our operating model, resulted in our Underlying EBITDA (excluding unrealised foreign exchange losses) increasing by 28% vs pcp to $26 million.

    What’s next for Temple & Webster?

    Here’s where things get interesting for the ASX retail stock. Temple & Webster is targeting FY27 EBITDA of $33 million to $40 million, implying roughly 50% to 80% growth from FY26.

    Management wants to return to double-digit revenue growth by leaning harder into digital and AI innovation, strengthening its core online offering, and scaling home improvement and New Zealand.

    New CEO Susie Sugden is also expected to outline the next phase of the strategy at the AGM and first-half results, with the company targeting further growth in Australia’s $40 billion-plus homewares and furniture market.

    Foolish takeaway

    The market appears to be demanding faster growth from the ASX retail stock, despite the strong FY26 result.

    That disconnect between solid execution and lofty expectations could be the key to understanding this brutal sell-off.

    The post Why is this ASX retail stock crashing to new lows today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    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. 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.

  • Is the DroneShield share price now too cheap to ignore?

    Group of thoughtful business people with eyeglasses reading documents in the office.

    DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares have been hammered, falling 19% over the past month, 39% year to date, and 54% over 12 months.

    But after disappointing 2026 guidance, could the sell-off of the ASX tech stock have gone too far?

    Counter-drone spending leads to orders

    DroneShield’s technology is designed to detect, identify, and defeat drone threats, with customers across military, government, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure.

    The demand story is already becoming tangible. By late July, the company had secured $206 million of committed FY26 revenue, almost matching its entire FY25 revenue with five months of the year still remaining.

    It’s promising and crucial for DroneShield shares that counter-drone spending is translating into real orders, rather than simply representing an attractive future market.

    The next challenge is delivering as demand grows

    The company is expanding its global production footprint, including establishing manufacturing operations in Europe, and expects combined annual production capacity to reach around $2.4 billion by the end of 2026.

    DroneShield is also continuing to invest in its technology. Management has described its current product rollout as the most significant product cycle in the company’s history, with further releases expected through 2027.

    Its existing hardware can also gain additional capabilities through software subscriptions as the company’s radio-frequency intelligence dataset grows.

    If the counter-drone market continues expanding, the combination of technology, manufacturing scale, and an established customer base could put DroneShield in a strong position to capture that demand.

    There’s a big catch: valuation

    DroneShield shares trade on high P/E multiples, meaning investors are already pricing in substantial future growth. That can be justified if the company becomes considerably larger over the long term. However, it also leaves little room for disappointment.

    Investors got a reminder of that on 28 July. DroneShield released a calendar 2026 trading update alongside a new contract announcement. While the operational numbers were strong, management’s guidance disappointed the market.

    The company expects FY26 revenue of $250 million to $270 million, representing growth of 15% to 25% on FY25. The problem? Consensus expectations had been closer to $323 million.

    The result was a sharp DroneShield share price decline, with profit-taking adding to the pressure.

    Short sellers are also taking aim. DroneShield is currently the most shorted ASX share, with short interest of 15.7%.

    What do brokers think?

    No wonder analysts are divided on DroneShield shares.

    TradingView data shows two of four brokers at strong buy and two at sell or strong sell. The average price target is $2.13, implying about 12% upside, while the most bullish target of $2.80 implies roughly 47% upside. The bearish target of $1.60 suggests another 16% downside.

    Canaccord Genuity is among the bulls, retaining a buy rating and $2.80 price target.

    So, is there upside left? There could be, but DroneShield now needs to prove it can convert its enormous opportunity into sustained earnings growth.

    The post Is the DroneShield share price now too cheap to ignore? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in DroneShield right now?

    Before you buy DroneShield shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and DroneShield wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    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 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.

  • How high will Judo Capital shares go? Brokers have their say

    A woman in a red dress holding up a red graph.

    Shares in Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO) are deeply in the red over a 12-month period, but after the release of the company’s results this week, brokers are tipping a rebound.

    The shares fell sharply in late June after the company announced a downgrade in expected pre-tax earnings from $180-$190 million down to $163-$169 million.

    Over a 12-month period the company’s shares are 39.6% lower.

    But after the company’s results this week, the analyst teams at both Morgans and Macquarie are tipping some serious share price upside for the stock.

    Judo looking forward after solid profit result

    Let’s have a quick look at what Judo reported this week.

    The company reported a pre-tax profit of $168.1 million, up 34%, with Judo saying this reflected strong revenue growth.

    Judo enjoyed above system lending growth, with gross loans and advances of $14.7 billion, up 18% year on year, at the top end of guidance.

    Deposit balances also grew 24% to $12.2 billion.

    Judo is expecting pre-tax profit to come in at $210-$220 million for the current year.

    Chief Executive Officer Chris Bayliss said regarding the result:

    FY26 has been another year of genuine momentum for Judo. While the increase in specific provisions late in the year was disappointing, the underlying performance of the Bank has remained strong, with record revenue, continued operating leverage, strong deposit growth and lending at the top end of guidance. We have continued to deliver above-system growth, underpinned by our customer value proposition of smarter judgement, faster decisions, and stronger relationships. With major investments in our core technology platforms behind us, we are now focused on delivering operating leverage and driving our return on equity. As we continue to scale the loan book, we are seeing more of our revenue growth translate to profit growth. Our cost to income ratio has improved significantly to now be the lowest in the sector3, and will keep improving as we scale.

    Judo Capital shares looking cheap

    Macquarie said in a note to its clients that the question is, “whether Judo is able to achieve that balance between margins, growth, and credit quality to achieve returns at scale”.

    The analysts said while it was difficult to be certain, “we think the valuation discount adequately compensates the risks”.

    Macquarie has a price target of $1.65 on Judo shares compared to $1.06 currently.

    Morgans meanwhile said they expected earnings growth to be in the strong double digits from FY28-FY28.

    They said:

    Short-term target price is $1.42/share, but we think by the end of this decade JDO could be worth close to $2/share. JDO is higher risk and more cyclically exposed than the major banks, but investors are compensated by higher potential returns at current prices.  

    The post How high will Judo Capital shares go? Brokers have their say appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Judo Capital right now?

    Before you buy Judo Capital shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Judo Capital wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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 recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Could this ASX 200 tech stock be one of the best to own for the next decade?

    Woman sitting on a chair by the pool on her laptop, looking at a stock market chart.

    Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) has quietly built a powerful position in Australia’s growing wealth management industry.

    I think the next decade could give this tech stock, which is part of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), an even bigger opportunity as more money flows into superannuation and financial advisers continue embracing modern investment platforms.

    Here is why I would be happy to own Netwealth shares for the long term.

    More money can keep moving onto the platform

    Netwealth provides the technology and administration that financial advisers use to manage investments and superannuation for their clients.

    I like this business model because growth can build on itself.

    An adviser who chooses Netwealth can gradually move more clients onto the platform. Existing clients can contribute more money over time, while rising investment markets can increase the value of assets already sitting there.

    Netwealth finished June with $135.7 billion of funds under administration after attracting $15.4 billion of net flows during FY26.

    The net flows are the figure that catches my eye. They show investors and advisers are actively choosing to place more money with Netwealth rather than growth simply coming from rising share markets.

    Australia’s superannuation system should also continue creating an expanding pool of assets for platforms to compete over. If Netwealth keeps winning more than its current share, I think the business could become substantially larger by 2036.

    It can become more valuable to advisers

    There is another part of the story I find interesting.

    Netwealth does not have to rely solely on attracting more funds. It can also give advisers more reasons to use its technology.

    Managed accounts are a good example. These allow advisers to manage client portfolios more efficiently while making changes across many accounts at once. Netwealth’s managed account funds under management reached $30.5 billion at the end of June, almost 30% higher than a year earlier.

    I think that growth says something important about the relationship Netwealth is building with advisers.

    The more of their work that can be completed through the platform, the more embedded Netwealth can become in how an advice practice operates.

    The company is continuing to broaden its offering as well. It recently launched Netwealth Private for sophisticated investors and an Individual HIN solution that allows advisers and clients to hold Australian securities directly while still using Netwealth’s technology and administration.

    That gives Netwealth more ways to serve clients whose needs become increasingly complex as their wealth grows.

    There is still plenty to compete for

    Netwealth has already become a major platform provider, but Australia’s wealth management market is enormous.

    That leaves room for the ASX 200 tech stock to keep winning advisers from older platforms and deepen relationships with the advisers already using it.

    Competition will remain strong, particularly from HUB24 Ltd (ASX: HUB) and established financial institutions investing in their own platforms.

    For me, that makes continued net inflows an important sign to watch. Netwealth expects FY27 net flows of between $18 billion and $20 billion, which would represent another step up from FY26 if management delivers on that outlook.

    I think sustained inflows at that level could transform the scale of the business over a decade.

    Foolish takeaway

    Netwealth is the type of ASX 200 tech stock where I would be happy to give the investment plenty of time.

    Every year of strong inflows adds more assets to the platform, while new technology can make the relationship with advisers deeper.

    If that continues through to the 2030s, I think today’s Netwealth could eventually look like an early chapter in a much larger story.

    The post Could this ASX 200 tech stock be one of the best to own for the next decade? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Netwealth Group right now?

    Before you buy Netwealth Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Netwealth Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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

  • Superannuation funds have started the financial year well. See how much they’re up

    Male hands holding Australian dollar banknotes, symbolising dividends.

    After posting strong returns so far in August, the median growth-oriented superannuation fund is up an impressive 1.3% already this financial year, according to research company Chant West.

    A weak start bolstered by a strong August

    Returns in July for the median growth fund, with 61% to 80% growth assets, were a modest 0.3%, however with share markets performing well in August so far, Chant West estimates the median growth fund is up 1.3% over the first seven weeks of the new financial year.

    Chant West Head of Superannuation Investment Research, Mano Mohankumar, said that share markets were mixed during July with significant variation in returns across regions.

    He said:

    Over the month, developed market international shares returned 0.2% in hedged terms, largely due to a flat month from US shares, as the technology sector came under pressure amid concerns about the scale of AI investment and uncertainty surrounding future revenue growth. Due to the appreciation of the Australian dollar over the month, the return in unhedged terms was in the red at -0.9%. On average, super funds have about 70% of international shares unhedged. Emerging markets declined 4.4% where the previously strong performance from the tech sector in South Korea and Taiwan reversed sharply. Australian shares, on the other hand, were up a healthy 2.1% over the month supported by the financials and resources sectors, as well as the markets’ relatively low tech and AI-related exposure. Bonds weakened with Australian and international bonds falling 0.4% and 0.9%, respectively, as bond yields rose on renewed inflation concerns.

    For July, all growth funds led returns among all superannuation products with 0.5%, while conservative funds were steady at 0% gains.

    Superannuation a good long-term bet

    Mr Mohankumar said over the longer term, superannuation funds had outperformed their objectives.

    He said:

    Since the introduction of compulsory super in July 1992, the median growth fund has returned 8% p.a. The annual CPI increase over the same period is 2.7%, giving a real return of 5.3% p.a. – well above the typical 3.5% target. Even looking at the past 20 years, which includes three major share market downturns – the GFC in 2007-2009, COVID-19 in 2020, and the high inflation and rising interest rates in 2022 – super funds have returned 6.9% p.a., which is still ahead of the typical objective.

    Over the past 10 years, all growth superannuation products have outperformed all other funds, returning a compound 9.3%.

    This compares to growth funds with 7.6% and conservative funds with 4.5%.

    Chant West said all risk categories have generally met their typical long-term return objectives, which generally range from inflation plus 1.5% for conservative funds to inflation plus 4.25% for all growth.

    The post Superannuation funds have started the financial year well. See how much they’re up appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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.

  • Up 40%! Are Woodside shares still a good buy for passive income now?

    Stacks of Australian dollar currency banknotes.

    Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares have been on a tear this year.

    In morning trade today, shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) energy stock are up 0.5%, changing hands for $33.33 apiece. That sees the share price up an impressive 40.2% in 2026.

    For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.4% today and up 3.5% year to date.

    Atop the strong Woodside share price gains this year, the company also paid out a fully-franked 83.5 cent per share final dividend on 27 March.

    But with the share price having surged more than 40% already this year, is the ASX 200 energy stock still a good buy for passive income?

    Should I buy Woodside shares for passive income?

    It goes without saying that investors who bought Woodside shares at the 2 January close of $23.66 will be enjoying a higher dividend yield than investors who buy the stock today.

    Taking a look at the trailing yield, atop the 83.5 cent per share dividend the company paid in March, Woodside also paid out a fully-franked 81.8 cent per share dividend on 24 September.

    That works out to a full-year passive income payout of $1.653 per share.

    So, if you’d bought the stock at the beginning of the year, you’d be earning a fully-franked 7% trailing dividend yield on that investment. Or a 10% grossed-up yield, taking those franking credits into account.

    At today’s $33.33, the dividend yield from Woodside shares is a more modest, but still attractive, 5%. Or 7.1% grossed up.

    Based on the trailing yield, then, if you invested $10,000 in Woodside shares today, you could expect to earn $496 a year in passive income. And, of course, we’ll be hoping for more capital gains as well.

    Could the ASX 200 energy stock’s passive income payouts increase?

    2022 and 2023 saw Woodside shares delivering record dividend payments, and attracting strong interest from passive income investors, amid soaring global oil and gas prices.

    While oil prices haven’t quite matched those levels yet in 2026, they’ve come close amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. Brent crude oil is currently trading just north of US$91 per barrel, according to data from Bloomberg.

    Indeed, at Woodside’s June quarter report, the company reported that despite a 9% quarter-on-quarter production slip (primarily related to planned maintenance and inclement weather), operating revenue for the quarter surged 28% to US$4.19 billion.

    That revenue boost was largely thanks to the 35% increase in the average realised price to US$85 per barrel of oil equivalent the company received over the three months.

    While there are no guarantees, I suspect that higher oil prices, and forecast full-year production in the range of 174 MMboe to 185 MMboe, will result in a higher interim dividend being declared when Woodside reports on its half-year results next week, 25 August.

    The post Up 40%! Are Woodside shares still a good buy for passive income now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Woodside Energy Group Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Woodside Energy Group Ltd shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Woodside Energy Group Ltd wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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 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.

  • Up 41%: How much higher can Woodside shares go?

    Young mother with baby boy at the petrol station refuelling the car.

    Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are climbing higher again in Wednesday morning trade.

    At the time of writing, the shares are up around 0.5% and changing hands at $33.30 a piece. Today’s increase means the shares are now up around 41% for the year-to-date. They’re also roughly 27% higher than this time last year.

    What drove Woodside shares higher this year?

    So far in 2026, the oil and gas giant has benefited from major oil supply concerns and volatility around conflict in the Middle East.

    The US-Iran war shows renewed signs of cooling. But each time it looks like conflict is calming down, it quickly returns. The region is highly volatile, and the movement of oil from the area will continue to be uncertain until a resolution is reached. 

    Shipping disruptions and production cuts pushed crude oil prices to a multi-year high of around US$111 per barrel in April, according to Trading Economics data. While the price of oil softened in June and early July, it is now trading back up at around US$85 per barrel.

    And it’s not just volatile oil prices and market demand driving the company’s shares higher.

    Woodside grabbed headlines in late April after it posted its first-quarter FY26 update. The oil and gas producer reported a 7% quarter-on-quarter increase in operating revenue and an 8% hike in revenue. The company’s production figures were lower thanks to weather events, but this was offset by an 11% increase in the average realised price of oil. 

    Late last month the company made waves again after it posted its second-quarter update. Woodside announced a 28% increase in quarterly operating revenue and confirmed that its major growth projects are on track. The Scarborough Energy Project is now 98% complete and remains on budget, targeting first LNG cargo in the December quarter of 2026.

    Woodside is expected to release its first-half results for 2026 next week on the 25th of August. Its full FY26 results will be announced in February next year.

    Can Woodside shares keep climbing higher?

    It looks like brokers now think the oil major’s shares are now trading around fair value. In fact, some are tipping a downside over the next 12 months.

    Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a hold rating on Woodside shares. The $28.52 average target price implies a potential 14% downside ahead.

    Experts on TradingView are a little more positive. Sentiment is split between a hold rating and a buy/strong buy rating. Although the average $32.31 now implies a potential 3% downside, at the time of writing. 

    The team at Morgans have a hold rating and $32.50 target price on the energy shares. The broker said it was pleased with the company’s latest quarterly update, with the figures coming in ahead of expectations.

    Michael Gable from Fairmont Equities recently reduced his rating on Woodside shares to a hold. He said that the US strategic petroleum reserve was recently at a 43-year low, and he is concerned it will be difficult to keep a lid on crude oil prices.

    The post Up 41%: How much higher can Woodside shares go? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Woodside Energy Group Ltd right now?

    Before you buy Woodside Energy Group Ltd shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Woodside Energy Group Ltd wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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

  • By August 2027, $8,000 invested in WiseTech shares could turn into…

    Woman calculating dividends on calculator and working on a laptop.

    WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares are jumping higher again on Wednesday morning.

    At the time of writing, the shares are up around 1.5% and changing hands for $43.92 a piece.

    The latest increase means the ASX tech shares have now rebounded around 52% from a five-year low of just $28.76 a piece, recorded in late-June. 

    But there is still a long way to go until WiseTech shares have regained the huge losses shed over the past 12 months. For the year-to-date and tech shares are still down around 36% and they’re roughly 62% lower than this time last year.

    But, while it’s important to consider how the company’s shares have performed over the past 12 months, investors should also keep an eye on what lies ahead.

    So, if I buy $8,000 of WiseTech shares today, what could that be worth in 12 months time?

    The experts are incredibly bullish about the outlook for WiseTech shares over the next 12 months, with the majority forecasting a strong upside ahead.

    Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a strong buy rating on the shares. The $54.71 average target price implies a potential 27% upside, at the time of writing.

    Analysts are even more bullish on TradingView. The data shows that the majority have a strong buy rating on WiseTech shares, but they have a higher average target price of $60.61. That implies the shares could increase another 38%, at the time of writing.

    But some are even more optimistic. The $114.11 maximum target price implies a potential 160% upside over the next 12 months.

    Assuming the average target price comes to fruition, that means your $8,000 investment today could be worth around $10,160 to $11,040 by August 2027.

    But if the more bullish expert forecasts are correct, an $8,000 investment today does have the potential to climb as high as $20,800 over the next 12 months.

    What‘s ahead for the ASX tech shares?

    WiseTech is due to announce its FY26 results on the 26th of August.

    The company reaffirmed its FY26 guidance earlier this year, expecting full-year revenue of US$1.39 billion to US$1.44 billion (representing a 79% to 85% increase) and EBITDA in the range of US$550 million to US$585 million, up 44% to 53% from FY25.

    WiseTech has a strong competitive advantage in the global logistics industry. I think the company’s future hinges primarily on its FY26 results. If the company manages to reach or exceed its upgraded guidance, I think we’ll see a turnaround in investor sentiment.

    The post By August 2027, $8,000 invested in WiseTech shares could turn into… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in WiseTech Global right now?

    Before you buy WiseTech Global shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and WiseTech Global wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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 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.

  • Rate rises have finally caught house prices. What does that means for ASX property shares?

    Man holding graphic houses with dollar signs and graph points surrounding them.

    Australian house prices have spent most of this cycle shrugging off higher interest rates.

    That stopped in July. National home values fell 0.7% over the month, according to Cotality’s Home Value Index, making it the steepest monthly decline since December 2022.

    For investors holding ASX property shares, that gives food for thought.

    These trends are a signal about where earnings guidance is heading.

    The house prices data has turned

    Sydney led the falls with a 1.4% drop in July. Melbourne was close behind at 1.2%, whereas Brisbane slipped 0.6% and Adelaide gave up 0.2%.

    Perth managed a 0.1% gain, though that is a long way from the pace it set last year.

    What changed in July was the breadth of the weakness.

    Cotality head of research Gerard Burg pointed to the gap opening up between buyers and sellers.

    There remains a mismatch between the pricing expectations of buyers and sellers.

    Annual figures still look strong across the smaller capitals, but annual numbers are a rear-view mirror indicator and the monthly data is what tells you where the market is heading next.

    Why rate rises finally bit

    The Reserve Bank has lifted the cash rate three times this year.

    It held at 4.35% on 11 August, but left the door open to more.

    The Board noted that headline inflation “is still too high” and is likely to stay elevated for some time.

    The data backs that up. The ABS reported that CPI rose 3.8% over the year to June, with the trimmed mean at 3.6%.

    Higher rates do two things to housing, cutting how much buyers can borrow while lifting the cost of carrying the debt they already hold.

    KPMG now forecasts house prices nationally to fall 1.1% across 2026 before recovering 3.4% in 2027.

    Sydney houses are tipped to fall 4.4% and Melbourne houses 5.0%.

    KPMG chief economist Dr Brendan Rynne was direct about the cause.

    Three consecutive interest rate rises have also reduced borrowing capacity, while changes to property investment taxation have weakened investor confidence.

    What falling house prices mean for ASX property shares

    Not every ASX property share is exposed in the same way.

    The listed sector blends residential developers, commercial landlords and funds managers, and falling house prices hit each of those business models very differently.

    Developers feel it first, through slower sales and thinner margins on completed stock.

    Landlords are better insulated, because commercial and industrial rents answer to a different set of drivers.

    Much of the damage may already be done, too.

    ASX 200 real estate stocks tumbled through the first half of 2026 as the rate outlook soured.

    Goodman, Mirvac and Stockland: three very different exposures

    Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) is the least exposed of the trio.

    The company owns virtually no residential property.

    Its growth story is industrial space and data centres, with a portfolio valued at $87.1 billion in May.

    Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR) sits at the other end of the spectrum, because as a residential developer its shares sank to their lowest level since 2015 in April.

    Stockland (ASX: SGP) lands somewhere in between.

    The company’s residential communities arm is directly exposed to weaker prices, while land lease communities and a new data centre joint venture provide some ballast against the cycle.

    Stockland maintained FY26 guidance at its third-quarter update in April.

    All three report FY26 results within the next week, according to the Foolish reporting calendar.

    Foolish takeaway

    Falling house prices are not automatically bad news for ASX property shares.

    Much of the pessimism is already reflected in share prices after a difficult 2026 for the sector.

    What matters now is what management teams say about the year ahead.

    Mirvac, Goodman and Stockland will each put a number on that within days, and those guidance statements will tell investors all they need to know about the future of ASX property shares.

    The post Rate rises have finally caught house prices. What does that means for ASX property shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Goodman Group right now?

    Before you buy Goodman Group shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Goodman Group wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven 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 Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.