Tag: Stock pick

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are up 0.16% to 8,810.5 points on Monday.

Among the 11 market sectors, energy is in the lead today, up 1.9%.

The technology sector is the laggard, down 1.1%.

Let’s check out some new ratings on three ASX 200 shares.

Wisetech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

The Wisetech share price is $33.88, down 3.1% today and down 71% over 12 months.

Bell Potter has a buy rating on this ASX 200 tech share with a 12-month target price of $71.75.

Analyst Chris Savage said: 

There has been a tech rally of sorts on the ASX over the past couple of months and this has been led by some of the large cap names including Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME), Block CDI (ASX: XYZ) and Life360 Inc (ASX: 360).

One large cap which has not rallied, however, is WiseTech and this is likely due to a number of factors including further negative press reports around founder and Chief Innovation Officer Richard White, concern around the potential future loss of key customer DSV and risk around both the FY26 result and FY27 guidance and whether each meets market expectations.

In our view, however, these negatives will start to dissipate over the coming months and indeed have already commenced with
the appointment earlier this month of Raelene Murphy to Chair which we regard as a positive move.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

The Sigma Healthcare share price is $2.94, up 0.2% today and up 7% over 12 months.

Bell Potter has a hold rating on this ASX 200 healthcare share with a price target of $3.

Analyst John Hester said: 

… investment metrics for SIG are not sufficiently attractive to warrant a Buy rating, particularly with a single payer (the Federal Government) representing a disproportionate level of group revenue.

The Government’s propensity to alter funding arrangements on short notice with little industry consultation should elevate the risk rating on SIG.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

CBA shares are $172.73 apiece, up 0.6% today and down 3% over 12 months.

Morgans has a sell rating on CBA shares and just reduced its 12-month target from $119.40 to $117.63.

Analyst Nathan Lead said:

We make updates to our forecasts ahead of the FY26 result in August. Net result is 1-2% downgrades to FY27-28F EPS.

Sell retained, given stretched valuation metrics remain implied in the share price (c.26x PER, 3.7x PBV, 2.9% cash yield).

The post Buy, hold, sell: Sigma Healthcare, Wisetech Global, CBA shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why WiseTech shares could rocket 100%
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• If I invest $10,000 in Westpac shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2027?
• Buy, hold, sell: BHP, CBA, and Rio Tinto shares
• How to make $50,000 of passive income from ASX shares like CBA

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Block, Life360, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360 and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) tech stock Weebit Nano Ltd (ASX: WBT) has delivered some smashing gains over the past 12 months.

In early afternoon trade on Monday, shares in the semiconductor memory technology company are changing hands for $5.62 apiece.

This sees the Weebit Nano share price up a very impressive 148.7% over the last year, racing ahead of the 1.3% 12-month gains delivered by the benchmark index.

And looking ahead, Investor Pulse’s Mark Elzayed believes the stock is well-placed to keep outperforming (courtesy of The Bull).

Here’s why.

Should I buy the ASX 300 tech stock today?

“Weebit Nano develops advanced semiconductor memory technology,” Elzayed noted late last week.

Commenting on his bullish outlook for the ASX 300 tech stock, he said:

Licensing deals with Texas Instruments and onsemi have contributed to company performance. Revenue guidance of $10 million in full year 2026 and a recent capital raising of $102 million fortifies the balance sheet for artificial intelligence and research development.

Indeed, in a market announcement out just this morning, Weebit Nano again upgraded its full year revenue guidance.

According to the release:

Based on unaudited numbers, the company now expects revenue to be at least A$13.5 million, replacing previous guidance of “at least A$12 million”. The increased revenue guidance is mainly attributable to the expansion of customer projects.

Summarising his buy recommendation on Weebit Nano shares, Elzayed concluded:

The shift towards a recurring royalty model generates long term operating leverage. Momentum and news flow are positive, although the multi-year path from licence to royalty income remains the key execution risk.

What’s the latest from Weebit Nano?

The ASX 300 tech stock reported its third quarter (Q3 FY 2026) results on 30 April.

Commenting on the company’s upgraded full year revenue guidance at the time, Weebit Nano CEO Coby Hanoch said, “It’s been an important quarter for Weebit Nano as we made the strategic decision to significantly strengthen our balance sheet to accelerate our growth ambitions.”

Hatch noted:

Our technology was selected for a Korean National Compute-in-Memory program, we secured two new revenue-generating agreements, and continued to make strong technical progress with onsemi and Texas Instruments.

As for the recent capital raising the Elzayed mentioned above, Hatch said:

The added capital from our recent raise enables us to widen the gap between ourselves and competitors and have undisputedly the best ReRAM in the market. As the only independent provider of qualified ReRAM, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take share as adoption shifts from niche to mainstream.

The post Up 149% in a year, why this surging ASX 300 tech stock is still a good buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX All Ords shares that ripped 200% to 400% in FY26
• These are three of the hottest ASX shares right now – can they keep rising?

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.

Shares in Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CUV) climbed around 5% to $10.40 on Monday after the ASX biotech stock confirmed its shares will begin trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange in the US.

The Nasdaq is the world’s second-largest stock exchange after the New York Stock Exchange. It is home to many of the world’s leading technology and healthcare companies, including Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA) and Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT).

Clinuvel confirms Nasdaq debut

In an ASX announcement today, the ASX biotech stock said its American Depositary Shares (ADS) are expected to commence trading on the Nasdaq later on Monday (New York time) under the ticker CUVL.

The milestone follows the US Securities and Exchange Commission declaring the company’s Form 20-F registration statement effective on 17 July, along with Nasdaq approving the listing.

As part of the move, Clinuvel’s existing over-the-counter American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program will be upgraded from a Level I ADR to a Level II ADS listed on Nasdaq. Each ADS will represent one ordinary Clinuvel share listed on the ASX.

Importantly, the company is not raising capital or issuing new shares as part of the listing. This means the move is designed to improve market access rather than fund the business.

Existing holders of Clinuvel’s US-traded ADRs also won’t need to take any action. Their holdings will automatically transition to the new Nasdaq-listed security.

Why does a Nasdaq listing matter?

A Nasdaq listing can significantly increase a company’s visibility among US investors and improve trading liquidity. It also provides access to specialist healthcare and biotechnology investors who are often more familiar with the sector and can broaden the company’s shareholder base.

The Nasdaq Global Select Market, where the ASX biotech stock will trade, also offers greater analytical coverage and inclusion in Nasdaq’s market ecosystem. This potentially increases awareness among institutional investors.

That said, investors shouldn’t expect the listing alone to transform the company’s fortunes overnight. Greater visibility could support future growth opportunities and provide access to deeper capital markets if required. However, Clinuvel’s long-term success will ultimately depend on executing its commercial strategy.

What did management say?

Clinuvel Chairman Jeffrey Rosenfeld said:

The upgrade of CUVL to the Nasdaq marks an important step for Clinuvel’s visibility in U.S. capital markets, as well as reflecting a broader shift of our business towards North America. In the context of all our activities, the gradual shift to the U.S. makes much sense as the Company is maturing.

Foolish Takeaway

Clinuvel already has a commercialised product in SCENESSE®. It is approved in multiple markets, including the United States and Europe.

The Nasdaq listing has the potential to raise the international profile of the ASX biotech stock. It also expands its access to one of the world’s deepest pools of healthcare capital.

However, the real driver of long-term shareholder returns will remain business execution.

Despite today’s rally, Clinuvel shares are still down around 17% so far this year. This suggests investors are waiting for stronger evidence that the company’s next phase of growth is taking shape.

The post This ASX biotech stock just scored a Nasdaq listing. Shares are jumping appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• This ASX biotech stock is tipped to double or even triple in value

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

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) shares are pushing higher today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) health imaging company closed on Friday trading for $187.11. As we head into the Monday lunch hour, shares are swapping hands for $188.83 each, up 0.9%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.2% at this same time.

With today’s intraday lift factored in, Pro Medicus shares are now up an impressive 74.6% since notching a one-year closing low of $108.15 on 24 February.

That strong rebound followed months of heavy selling after the stock hit an all-time closing high of $330.48 a share on 17 July 2025.

As you may be aware, that selling pressure came amid a broader global sell-down of Software as a Service (SaaS) stocks.

The so-called SaaSpocalypse hit Pro Medicus and many other stocks dependent on their proprietary software amid concerns that artificial intelligence might replace the services these companies provide.

But with those concerns clearly fading for Pro Medicus over the past five months, is the ASX 200 healthcare share still a good buy today?

Should I buy Pro Medicus shares now?

Alto Capital’s Tony Locantro recently ran his slide rule over the ASX 200 stock (courtesy of The Bull).

“The company provides medical imaging software and services to hospitals and healthcare groups across the world,” he said.

Locantro noted:

The company recently delivered an outstanding first half result in full year 2026. Underlying earnings before interest and tax was up 29.7% and revenue was up 28.4% amid securing more than A$280 million in new contract wins.

But following the strong rebound in Pro Medicus shares since February, Locantro issued a sell recommendation on the stock.

He concluded:

Despite these exceptional fundamentals, the company’s premium valuation reflects high market expectations and leaves limited room for disappointment. While Pro Medicus remains a best-in-class business with strong long-term prospects, the current risk-reward balance supports a view to trim holdings at current levels.

What else did the ASX 200 healthcare share report for H1 FY 2026?

Atop the strong earnings and revenue growth Locantro mentioned above, Pro Medicus shares have also been grabbing investor attention amid surging profits.

The company reported first-half net profit after tax of $171.2 million, up 230.9% year on year.

“Our profits continue to grow strongly even though our biggest implementation during the period in Trinity Cohort 1 went live towards the end of October so had limited impact on the half,” Pro Medicus CEO Sam Hupert said on the day of the results release.

The post Up 75%, are Pro Medicus shares still a good buy now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Despite turbulent world events, including the war in the Middle East, Australian superannuation funds have chalked up a fourth straight year of strong returns, with UniSuper Growth edging out its peers to be the best performer over the period.

Excellent superannuation returns once again

Data released by Chant West indicates that the median growth superannuation fund, which is 61% to 80% invested in growth assets, gained a healthy 9.5% during FY26.

Chant West said this followed returns of 9.2% in FY23, 9.1% in FY24, and 10.4% in FY25, “taking the cumulative return to an impressive 44% over the past four years”.

Members invested in higher-risk options would generally have enjoyed even better outcomes, the analytics company said.

Chant West Head of Super Investment Mano Mohankumar said the FY26 result was once again driven by international shares, but it also helped that nearly all asset classes generated positive returns over the period.

He added:

International shares surged 25.5% in hedged terms, supported by continued enthusiasm for AI and robust corporate earnings. Despite the Australian dollar’s appreciation against most major currencies, the return in unhedged terms delivered an impressive 17%. International shares have the highest allocation within a typical growth fund, accounting for about 31% on average. By comparison, Australian shares, which on average has a weighting of 24%, returned a modest 6.2% over the year.

Mr Mohankumar said generally speaking, funds with a higher allocation to international shares performed better.

He added:

Diversification also provided some benefit given the wide dispersion of returns across asset classes, though it would have helped if you had lower allocations to traditional defensive assets. Australian bonds, international bonds and cash returned 1.5%, 2.9% and 3.9%, respectively, making them among the weakest performing asset classes over the year. The only asset class to finish in negative territory was Australian listed property, which declined 1.8%. In contrast, international listed real assets performed exceptionally well, with international listed infrastructure and listed property returning 17.2% and 14.3%, respectively.

Which were the best-performing superannuation funds?

Among growth funds, the top-performing growth funds for the year were UniSuper Growth with 12.3%, NGS Super Diversified with 11.5%, CFS Firstchoice Growth with 11.5%, and Hostplus Balanced with 10.8%.

Mr Mohankumar said that while super funds had delivered four straight years of returns of 9% or more, that level of return shouldn’t be thought of as normal.

He added:

The typical long-term return objective for growth funds is to beat inflation by 3.5% p.a., which translates to roughly 6% p.a. Since the introduction of compulsory super, the annualised return is 8% and the annual CPI increase is 2.7%, giving a real return of 5.3% p.a. – well above that 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 comfortably ahead of the typical objective.

The post Which superannuation fund outperformed its peers last financial year? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• This ASX biotech stock just scored a Nasdaq listing. Shares are jumping
• Up 75%, are Pro Medicus shares still a good buy now?
• Why South32 shares edge higher on strong results and landmark deal
• Average superannuation balance for 56 vs 66-year-olds in 2026. How does yours compare?
• Billionaire Andrew Forrest’s buy up sends ASX mining share soaring

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.

South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) shares climbed as much as 2.5% at Monday’s open before easing to trade around 1.7% higher at $3.97 in early afternoon trade.

The mining giant has been a standout performer over the past year, with its shares gaining 31%, comfortably outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has risen just 1% over the same period.

So, what impressed investors?

South32 unveils strong operating update

South32 released its June quarter production report alongside details of a transformational portfolio reshaping.

The headline announcement of South32 shares was the sale of its aluminium value chain business – excluding Mozal Aluminium – to Alcoa in a deal worth up to US$5.6 billion. The transaction also transfers around US$1.2 billion of rehabilitation provisions and is expected to reshape South32 into a more focused base metals producer.

Operationally, the company also delivered several positive surprises. Copper production at Sierra Gorda exceeded FY26 guidance by 2% and generated record annual distributions of US$401 million. Manganese production also beat expectations, finishing 1% above guidance in Australia and 4% ahead in South Africa.

Group sales volumes rose 15% during the June quarter, unlocking around US$200 million of working capital and supporting stronger cash generation.

South32 also returned US$327 million to shareholders during FY26 through dividends and on-market share buybacks while continuing to invest in future growth, spending approximately US$710 million developing its Hermosa zinc-lead-silver project in Arizona.

What management said

The update also marked the company’s first production report under new CEO Matt Daley, who officially succeeded Graham Kerr on 1 July. Daley said:

We continued to deliver strong operating results, exceeding Group production guidance for FY26. We increased quarterly sales volumes by 15%, capturing the benefit of strong market conditions across many of our commodities, and releasing working capital which added to the Group’s cash generation. On 1 July, we announced a step change for South32, with the sale of our aluminium value chain business to Alcoa. Once complete, this sale will unlock significant value for shareholders and reposition South32 as a leading upstream base metals focused company. Our portfolio will be built around high-margin, long-life assets in favourable jurisdictions, with approximately 85% of pro-forma earnings from base and precious metals and approximately 55% production growth from approved projects.

What else should investors know?

Management highlighted continued strong production from Cannington, Sierra Gorda, and its manganese operations. Development at Hermosa remains on schedule, with key US permitting milestones achieved.

Despite higher freight and raw material costs linked to geopolitical disruptions, South32 said it maintained disciplined cost control across the business.

Looking ahead, the company plans to optimise its existing operations while progressing open-pit development at Cannington and managing water impacts at its Australian manganese business. Updated FY27 production guidance for Australia Manganese is expected with its upcoming full-year results on 27 August.

Daley added:

Looking ahead, our focus on operational excellence, a strong balance sheet and transformational growth in base metals leaves us well positioned to deliver value for shareholders.

The post Why South32 shares edge higher on strong results and landmark deal appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in South32. 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.

Are you looking forward to living a comfortable retirement lifestyle but aren’t sure whether your superannuation is on track to get you there?

Or perhaps you want to find out the superannuation balance you’d need to maintain a good standard of living, do some regular activities, meals out, and perhaps even an occasional overseas trip.

Here’s a rundown of what the average Aussie has in their super at 56 and 66 years old, and what you’d need at each age to have enough for retirement.

Find out how yours compares.

How much superannuation does the average Australian have at age 56?

There isn’t an exact figure for the average superannuation balance at age 55, but the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) has a good guideline.

ASFA’s data shows that at age 55 to 59, the average Australian male has around $319,743 in superannuation. The average female in the same age bracket has approximately $242,945.

How much superannuation does the average Australian have at age 66?

The average 65 to 69-year-old Australian male has an average superannuation balance of $448,518, and women have around $392,274.

Age 56 versus age 66: Why is the gap so wide?

The difference between super balances at age 56 versus age 66 is significant. 

Over the 10-year period, average balances increase by up to $150,000.

It could be that these individuals have had more time to add additional contributions to their superannuation balance. 

But it also shows the importance of compounding. It’s clear that accumulating wealth early on, investing in a well-performing fund, and at a risk profile that suits your own, can supercharge your balance down the line.

Are these average balances enough to retire on?

No. In fact, the average Australian is quite far behind.

ASFA estimates that it’ll cost single Australians around $55,923 per year. It’ll cost couples living together closer to $78,566 per year in total.

These figures also assume you’ll start your retirement at age 67. It also assumes that you’ll receive a part Age Pension around this time and that you own your home outright.

In order to fund this type of comfortable retirement, ASFA calculates that single Australians will need around $630,000 in their superannuation at age 67. Meanwhile, couples will need around $730,000 combined at the same age.

Ok, so how much do Aussies need in their superannuation by age 56 and 66 to be on track?

Using ASFA’s Super Balance Detective tool, I’ve calculated what you’d need at ages 56 and 66 to reach that sum.

At age 56, you need around $416,000 in your superannuation.

At age 66, this should be more like $618,500 in order to live comfortably when the time comes. 

As you’ll see. These sums are significantly higher than the average at each age milestone.

And this means you’ll need to bridge the gap another way.

It’s a good idea to start by making additional contributions. You can take advantage of additional concessional or non-concessional contributions, whether this is via salary sacrificing or by making after-tax payments (within your annual limits).

Government initiatives (if eligible) could also help bridge the gap between the superannuation balance you have and what you need.

The post Average superannuation balance for 56 vs 66-year-olds in 2026. How does yours compare? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why South32 shares edge higher on strong results and landmark deal
• Billionaire Andrew Forrest’s buy up sends ASX mining share soaring
• Up 42% since April, guess which $3.4 billion ASX 200 stock is charging higher again on Monday
• VAS vs VGS: Which Vanguard ETF is winning so far this year?
• South32 reveals FY26 operating results

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.

Shares in EQ Resources Ltd (ASX: EQR) have surged more than 20% after it was revealed iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest has bought a major stake in the company.

Cornerstone stake bought out

EQ Resources said in a statement to the ASX that Dr Forrest had bought Oaktree Capital Management’s 16.8% stake in the company.

The company added:

Oaktree has been a cornerstone investor in EQR since 2023, supporting the Company’s acquisition of the Barruecopardo tungsten mine in Spain and the ongoing expansion of the Mt Carbine tungsten mine in North Queensland, which together have positioned EQR as the largest western tungsten producer. This transaction is at the shareholder level and will not impact the strategy, day-to-day operations, management or employees of EQR.

EQ Resources Managing Director Craig Bradshaw thanked Oaktree for their support, saying they backed the company’s vision at a pivotal time.

He said regarding the transaction:

We warmly welcome Dr Forrest’s investment in the Company. It is a strong endorsement for EQ Resources to see the ownership baton passed from a financial investor to a stalwart of the Australian mining industry with a proven track record of developing and growing assets. This is a great vote of confidence in EQ Resources, our people, and the growth strategy we are executing across our operations in Australia and Spain.

Dr Forrest said he was glad to be backing an Australian critical minerals producer, “at the moment the world has woken up to how fragile critical mineral supply chains have become”.

He added:

Tungsten is essential to the machines that build our homes, hospitals, cities and modern-day energy systems, as well as the semiconductors in every phone and computer. Yet global supply is remarkably concentrated. We are proud to become a long-term shareholder in a company that is de-risking its operations, ramping up production and beginning to generate real cash flow. We look forward to seeing the business continue to grow.

Dr Forrest founded iron ore producer Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) and remains Executive Chair and a major shareholder with slightly more than a third of the group’s shares under his ownership.

Tungsten shares a multi-bagger

EQ Resources shares added 22.7% in early trade to 27 cents. The company’s shares are up 610.5% over a 12-month period.

In a recent investor presentation, the company made the point that China currently controls 85% of global tungsten supply.

EQ Resources produced 1,189 tonnes of tungsten trioxide in FY26 and said both of its mining operations had opportunities to scale up.

EQ Resources is valued at $1.13 billion.

The post Billionaire Andrew Forrest’s buy up sends ASX mining share soaring appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why South32 shares edge higher on strong results and landmark deal
• Average superannuation balance for 56 vs 66-year-olds in 2026. How does yours compare?
• Up 42% since April, guess which $3.4 billion ASX 200 stock is charging higher again on Monday
• VAS vs VGS: Which Vanguard ETF is winning so far this year?
• South32 reveals FY26 operating results

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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) stock Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU) is charging higher today.

Shares in the New Zealand-based building and materials company closed on Friday trading for $3.16. In early-morning trade on Monday, shares are changing hands at $3.21 apiece, up 1.6%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.1% at this same time.

Fletcher Building shares have been on a tear since plumbing a one-year closing low of $2.26 on 28 April. Indeed, with today’s intraday lift factored in, the share price is up 42% since that low, giving the ASX 200 stock a market cap north of $3.4 billion.

Here’s what’s catching investor interest today.

ASX 200 stock jumps on New Zealand support

Flether Building shares are outperforming today after the company announced a milestone agreement between its Golden Bay Cement business and the New Zealand government.

The ASX 200 stock reported that the government has granted up to NZ$60 million (AU$50.4 million) to support Golden Bay Cement’s Northland operations.

The company noted that the one-time grant will provide certainty for Golden Bay Cement’s continued domestic manufacturing capability and planned decarbonisation pathway.

Golden Bay Cement operates New Zealand’s only domestic cement manufacturing facility, supplying around 60% of the country’s cement.

Fletcher Building said that the agreement recognises Golden Bay Cement’s role as the only domestic manufacturer of a critical building material.

As part of the agreement, Golden Bay Cement has committed to continue producing cement at its Northland plant until at least 2040. The business will also invest at least NZ$150 million through to 2040.

What did Fletcher Building management say?

Commenting on the government grant helping boost the ASX 200 stock today, Fletcher Building CEO Andrew Reding said, “Domestic cement production matters for New Zealand’s resilience as much as for its economics.”

Reding added:

An onshore source reduces exposure to shipping disruption, supply shocks and price volatility, an increasingly important consideration as global supply chains become more unpredictable.

Reding also addressed the higher carbon emissions costs the company faced in New Zealand compared to its international competitors.

He noted:

Without government support, increasing costs, including carbon emission costs that our competitors importing cement from overseas do not currently incur at the same level, would likely have required us to close the plant and move to an import-only model from 2030.

This agreement removes that risk, providing the certainty to keep investing in domestic manufacturing, operational resilience and lower-carbon production. It’s a strong example of business and government working together in the national interest.

The post Up 42% since April, guess which $3.4 billion ASX 200 stock is charging higher again on Monday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Fletcher Building secures $60m for local cement production in NZ
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
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• Why are Fletcher Building shares flying 7% higher today?
• Fletcher Building lifts FY26 profit guidance as quarterly volumes rise

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.

Vanguard ETFs remain among the most popular investment choices for Australians looking to build long-term wealth.

ASX ETFs have surged in popularity over the past decade, offering investors a low-cost, diversified way to invest without having to pick individual shares.

Few providers have benefited more from that trend than the Vanguard Group. Its focus on low fees, broad diversification, and a simple buy-and-hold investing philosophy has made its ETFs favourites among first-time investors and retirees alike.

Here’s how two of the fund manager’s biggest ASX-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) – the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) and the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) – are performing so far this year.

Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF

The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF aims to track the performance of the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO), giving investors exposure to around 300 of Australia’s largest listed companies.

The ETF is heavily weighted towards Australia’s biggest sectors, with Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) each accounting for more than 10% of the portfolio. Other major holdings include Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS).

That concentration in banks and miners can be both a strength and a weakness. Investors benefit from exposure to some of Australia’s highest-quality companies and attractive dividend yields, but the portfolio is less diversified across sectors than many global funds.

VAS charges a low management fee of 0.07% per annum, helping investors keep more of their returns over the long term.

At the time of writing, the ETF has returned around 2% over the past year and is down approximately 1.6% over the past month, trading at $108.92. Over the past five years, it has delivered a total return of around 16%.

Income remains one of VAS’ biggest attractions. Investors recently received a distribution of 48.99 cents per unit, reinforcing its appeal for those seeking regular passive income.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF

For investors wanting to diversify beyond Australia, the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF offers exposure to more than 1,300 large and mid-cap companies across developed markets outside Australia.

Its largest holdings include technology giants Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA), both of which have benefited from the rapid growth of artificial intelligence.

Unlike VAS, VGS has relatively little exposure to Australian banks and resources companies. Instead, it provides investors with access to many of the world’s leading technology, healthcare, consumer, and industrial businesses. The ETF also charges a competitive management fee of 0.18% per annum.

Performance has been particularly strong. VGS has gained around 11% over the past year and has significantly outperformed VAS over the past five years, delivering a return of approximately 62%.

Investors also recently received a distribution of 80.11 cents per unit.

For Australians seeking greater global diversification and exposure to many of the world’s highest-quality companies, VGS continues to be a compelling long-term core holding.

The post VAS vs VGS: Which Vanguard ETF is winning so far this year? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, Macquarie Group, Microsoft, Nvidia, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.