Tag: Stock pick

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) is an ASX bank share that can divide opinion.

It is a major bank with a large customer base, an attractive dividend profile, and a strong position in business banking.

But investors also need to think about the economy, bad debts, mortgage competition, and whether bank valuations leave enough room for upside.

So, are NAB shares a buy, hold, or sell this month?

The NAB share price looks reasonable

The NAB share price is currently around $39.59.

That compares with a 52-week range of $35.48 to $49.45, meaning the shares are still trading well below their recent high.

That does not automatically make NAB a bargain. But I do think the pullback has made the valuation more appealing for investors looking at the big banks.

Using CommSec consensus estimates, NAB is expected to generate earnings per share of $2.43 in FY26 and $2.53 in FY27.

Based on the current share price, that puts the bank on a price-to-earnings ratio of around 16.3 times FY26 earnings and 15.7 times FY27 earnings.

I think that looks reasonable for a major Australian bank with NAB’s market position.

The dividend case is solid

NAB also offers an attractive income profile.

Consensus dividend forecasts are $1.70 per share in FY26 and $1.72 per share in FY27.

At the current share price, that implies forward dividend yields of roughly 4.3% and 4.35%.

That is not the highest yield investors can find on the ASX, but I think it is attractive when paired with the scale and profitability of a major bank.

Dividends are never guaranteed, especially in banking. Credit quality, regulation, capital requirements, and economic conditions all matter. But for investors wanting passive income from ASX shares, I think NAB’s forecast yield is strong enough to deserve attention.

Why I’d call NAB a buy

My verdict is that NAB shares are a buy this month.

The main reason is the bank’s business banking strength.

Retail banking is a challenging market. Mortgage competition remains intense, deposits are valuable, and households are still dealing with cost-of-living pressure.

NAB’s business banking exposure gives it a different angle. Businesses need loans, deposits, payment services, transaction accounts, and working capital support. Those relationships can be deeper and more valuable than a single home loan.

That does not remove economic risk. If conditions weaken, business confidence and credit quality could come under pressure.

But I like NAB’s position in a part of banking where relationships, scale, and service still count.

Foolish takeaway

I think NAB shares are a buy this month.

The share price remains well below its 52-week high, the valuation looks reasonable on consensus earnings forecasts, and the dividend yield is attractive.

The banking sector still has risks, so I would not expect a perfectly smooth ride. But I think NAB’s business banking strength gives it a useful edge in the current environment.

For investors looking for ASX bank exposure, I would be happy to buy NAB shares at current levels.

The post Are NAB shares a buy, hold, or sell this month? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How many Westpac shares do I need to buy for $10,000 of passive income?
• Here’s what brokers tip for NAB shares over the next 12 months
• ASX financials went from the best sector in FY25 to negative growth in FY26. Here’s what changed
• Better buy? NAB vs Westpac shares
• A leading analyst is forecasting growing headwinds for NAB shares. Should investors be worried?

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

The BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ) is one of the most popular exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the ASX. In fact, it is currently the third-largest ETF covering international shares on our market, with more than $9 billion in assets under management.

However, thanks to its rather opaque name, many investors might not actually know what this ETF is offering up to them. 

This is important for any ASX ETF, but arguably particularly so for NDQ units. This ETF is one of the most concentrated funds when it comes to the US stocks it is exposing ASX investors to. Some investors who don’t yet own the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF might wish to buy some after hearing about these stocks. Others may want to stay away from the heavy exposure to tech stocks that this index fund offers up.

If you wish to find out which side of this ledger you might fall on, you’re in the right place.

NDQ: What’s in this ASX ETF?

Let’s start at the top. The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF is technically an index fund that tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index (NASDAQ: NDX). This index contains the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the NASDAQ, one of the two major stock exchanges in the United States of America.

The NASDAQ, together with the New York Stock Exchange, houses almost all of the publicly listed stocks in America. However, the NASDAQ is the more modern exchange that tends to attract newer companies, particularly of the tech persuasion. As a result, the Betahsares Nasdaq 100 ETF is heavily exposed to America’s largest tech companies.

In fact, its current top ten holdings are all tech stocks. Here’s a look at them, including how much weight they take up in the NDQ ETF’s portfolio:

1. Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA) at 7.5% of NDQ’s portfolio
2. Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) at 7.2%
3. Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ: MU) at 4.8%
4. Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) at 4.5%
5. Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN) at 4.1%
6. Advanced Micro Devices Inc (NASDAQ: AMD) at 3.9%
7. Alphabet Inc Class A (NASDAQ: GOOGL) at 3.4%
8. Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) at 3.3%
9. Alphabet Inc Class C (NASDAQ: GOOG) at 3.1%
10. Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: META) at 2.8%

As you can see, NDQ’s top ten reads as a who’s who of the tech world. Of course, this isn’t a tech-only ETF. Some other names in this fund that you might recognise that hail from other sectors include Walmart Inc (NASDAQ: WMT), PepsiCo Inc (NASDAQ: PEP), and Costco Wholesale Corp (NASDAQ: COST).

But drilling down, a whopping 61.4% of NDQ’s weighted portfolio is in tech stocks. The next-most dominant sector in this ASX ETF is communications, at a mere 12.1%.

Tech lifts the BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF

Of course, NDQ’s fans will tell you (and they aren’t wrong) that it is this tech exposure that is responsible for this ETF’s breathtaking returns over many years.

Since its inception in 2015, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF has returned an average of 20.37% per annum. That’s as of 30 June. That extends to 22.45% per annum over the past ten years.

Over the past five years, investors have enjoyed 17.86% per annum, 24.4% over three years, and 26.37% over the past 12 months.

Let’s see how NDQ fares going forward.

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF charges a management fee of 0.48% per annum.

The post Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF: What stocks are actually in NDQ? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 of the best investments on the ASX right now to complement your superannuation
• Are these some of the best Betashares ETFs to buy?
• SpaceX will be included in the Nasdaq index this week. Here’s what that means for ASX investors
• The best ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years
• The currency-hedged ASX ETFs magnifying dividends by up to 10x this season

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Costco Wholesale, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and PepsiCo. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Costco Wholesale, Meta Platforms, Micron Technology, Microsoft, Nvidia, Tesla, and Walmart. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a rough mid-week session this Wednesday, building on the negativity we saw during yesterday’s trading. After opening sharply lower this morning, the ASX 200 spent most of the session recovering. But it was not enough to break even. The index ended up closing 0.21% lower at 8,785.1 points. 

This tough hump day for ASX investors followed a similarly bearish session on the American markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) did start well, but quickly lost all momentum to finish down 0.25%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was more decisive, dropping 1.16%.

But let’s get back to the Australian bourse now and dive a little deeper into what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors today.

Winners and losers

Despite the market’s loss, we still had a few corners of the market that managed to prosper today.

But first, it was again gold shares that copped it hardest. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had another bruising session, cratering by 2.36%.

Communications stocks were hit hard as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) plunging 2.1%.

Mining shares were also on the nose. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) took a 2% dive this Wednesday.

Tech stocks were in the firing line too, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)’s 1.87% tumble.

Industrial shares came next. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) saw its value cut by 0.52%.

Healthcare stocks were our last losers, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) sliding down 0.32%.

Turning to the green sectors, it was energy shares that topped the tables. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) vaulted 3.25% higher this hump day.

Utilities stocks also had a day to remember, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)’s 1.22% spike.

Consumer staples shares proved to be a safe haven, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) surged up 1.04% this session.

Financial stocks attracted attention as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) leaping up 0.65%.

Next came real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) advanced 0.52% today.

Finally, consumer discretionary shares stayed out of trouble, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)’s 0.4% jump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

This Wednesday’s winning stock was energy share Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR). Karoon shares roared 6.64% higher this session to finish at $1.45 each. There wasn’t any news out from the company today, but most energy shares did very well.

Here’s how the other top stocks tied up at the dock: 

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR)	$1.45	6.64%
Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)	$7.50	5.78%
Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP)	$4.09	5.14%
Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL)	$5.45	4.01%
LeandLease Group (ASX: LLC)	$3.12	4.00%
Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX: PDI)	$0.685	3.79%
Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR)	$1,72	3.30%
Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA)	$2.22	3.26%
Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)	$28.87	3.22%
Nick Scali Ltd (ASX: NCK)	$16.28	2.71%

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why the ASX 200 is sliding towards a 4-week low today
• Qube shares: Scheme now effective and special dividend declared
• IperionX launches US$50m capital raise for titanium expansion
• Atlas Arteria closes IFM takeover and begins board renewal
• Ramelius Resources achieves FY26 guidance, grows cash flow and completes Edna May sale

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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 Nick Scali. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are sliding on Wednesday as investors react to reports of looming strike action at its Western Australian port operations.

At the time of writing, the BHP share price is down 3.16% to $57.01. By comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 0.5% to 8,759 points.

The fall comes after a strong run for the ASX mining stock. BHP shares are still up around 25% since the start of 2026 and almost 50% over the past year.

Here’s what the report said.

Strike threat hits Port Hedland

According to The Australian, a coalition of unions is preparing to take strike action at BHP’s port operations in Western Australia.

The action is expected to involve workers at Port Hedland, which plays a major role in the handling, blending, and loading of iron ore.

The unions reportedly said workers would walk off the job for 8 hours on 16 July.

While that may not sound huge, the site is particularly important. Port Hedland is one of the world’s biggest bulk export ports and a key part of BHP’s iron ore business.

Reports say the strike would involve 236 of about 450 employees working across BHP’s port operations.

The dispute appears to centre on pay, conditions, career progression, and enforceable terms for port workers.

Why this could hurt BHP

BHP has previously warned that a shutdown at Port Hedland could cost the company around US$90 million, or $129 million, a day.

But the real risk is whether this could potentially turn into a longer standoff between BHP and the unions.

And the timing does not help either.

BHP shares have had a superb run over the past year, helped by stronger iron ore prices and better appetite for large miners.

With the stock still up almost 50% over that period, some investors may have been happy to take a bit of profit today.

The next date to watch

The planned walkout is set for 16 July, which gives BHP and the unions a short window to reach a deal.

If an agreement is reached before then, today’s fall may not amount to much more than a pause after a solid run.

But if the strike goes ahead, attention may quickly turn to whether more stoppages could follow.

Iron ore remains the main driver of BHP’s earnings, and Port Hedland is an important part of getting those tonnes out of Western Australia.

For now, investors seem to be taking some risk off the table while they wait to see whether the strike goes ahead.

The post BHP shares tumble as strike threat hits iron ore giant appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• BHP shares slump 13% from their peak: Are the ASX mining shares a buy, sell or hold?
• Why I’d buy BHP and CBA shares in July
• July is historically one of the best months for ASX shares. Can July FY27 deliver?
• How much do I need in my superannuation to get $6,000 per month in passive income?
• How should I invest my money in FY27?

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. 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) shares are down 0.5% to 8,757.9 points on Wednesday.

Among the 11 market sectors, energy is in the lead today, up 2.9%, while materials is the laggard, down 2.3%. 

Meanwhile, on The Bull, three experts give us their views on three ASX 200 shares.

Let’s check them out.   

Resmed CDI (ASX: RMD)

Resmed shares are $31.37 apiece, down 0.2% on Wednesday.

The Resmed share price fell 26.6% to $28.88 in FY26 amid a broader healthcare sector downturn.

Blake Halligan from Catapult Wealth has a buy rating on this ASX 200 healthcare share.

Halligan said:

ResMed is a global leader in sleep apnoea devices and digital health platforms, benefiting from strong structural demand and resilient clinical positioning.

Despite the progression in GLP-1 therapies for treating sleep apnoea, ResMed’s CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) treatments remain superior at this point in time.

RMD continues to offer appealing growth, income and defensive healthcare exposure.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

The Goodman Group share price is $30.07, down 2% today.

Goodman Group shares fell 9.1% in FY26 and finished the year at $31.13 on 30 June.

Remo Greco from Sanlam Private Wealth has a hold rating on this ASX 200 real estate investment trust (REIT).

Greco said: 

Goodman Group is a global industrial property and data centre developer. Data centres under construction represent 73 per cent of work in progress, according to the company’s third quarter update in fiscal year 2026.

In our view, GMG trades at an elevated valuation, reflecting a lot of potential growth options for the business. The shares have risen from $25.08 on March 30 to trade at $30.645 on July 2.

Investors can continue holding the stock after a recent strong share price performance, but should monitor the news flow to gauge if developments are meeting investor expectations.

Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV)

Endeavour shares are $3.41 apiece, up 1.6% today.

The Endeavour share price fell 19% to close out FY26 at $3.25 on 30 June.

James Bills from Shaw and Partners has a sell rating on this ASX 200 consumer staples share. 

Bills said: 

Endeavour operates liquor outlets, hotels and gaming facilities. It’s navigating a more challenging consumer environment amid cost pressures in fiercely competitive sectors.

While the company has a strong asset base and market position, we believe near term performance is likely to remain subdued.

With limited catalysts for a re-rating, the stock lacks appeal at this stage of the cycle, in our view.

The shares have fallen from $4.04 on March 2 to trade at $3.375 on July 2.

 

The post Buy, hold, sell: Goodman Group, Endeavour, Resmed shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ResMed’s $490m MatrixCare sale: What it means
• Why these ASX shares could rise 20% to 30%
• July is historically one of the best months for ASX shares. Can July FY27 deliver?
• 7 ASX 200 shares given buy ratings this week
• 2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts

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 Goodman Group and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. 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.

DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) shares have fallen further into the red in Wednesday lunchtime trade.

At the time of writing, the shares are down around 7% and are changing hands for $2.26 a piece. It’s the lowest level the shares have fallen to in 2026 so far.

Today’s decline means DroneShield shares are now down 18% over the past month, are around 32% lower for the year-to-date, and are 11% lower than trading levels this time last year.

What happened to DroneShield shares this year?

There has been a significant shift in sentiment around DroneShield shares over the past couple of months.

The company had a strong start to the year. Its shares were supported by higher global defence budgets, and geopolitical volatility amid conflict in the Middle East. But by May, investors seem to turn their backs on the stock.

A combination of recent governance and regulatory issues and the cooling of conflict in the Middle East has dragged DroneShield’s shares down.

While heightened conflict can increase interest in defence technology, particularly counter-drone systems, signs of easing will do the opposite.

Meanwhile, governance concerns have also weighed on sentiment. DroneShield announced in May that the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) had requested the company provide reasonable assistance in connection with an investigation relating to market announcements and share trading in November 2025.

Now there are concerns about ongoing volatility, and that the company’s future growth may not be large enough to justify its share price. 

So the question is, is there anything left ahead for DroneShield shares? Or can the stock fall even further? 

Here’s what the experts think.

Buy, sell or hold?

I wouldn’t jump at the chance to add more DroneShield shares to my portfolio right now, but I wouldn’t cut and run either.

And it looks like analysts are sharply divided too.

TradingView data shows that analysts are split in their outlook for the counter-drone technology stock over the next 12 months, but they all agree we’ll see some element of upside ahead.

Out of four analysts, two have a strong buy rating, and two have a sell or strong sell rating.

The average $3.41 target price still implies a potential 49% upside at the time of writing. The maximum $4.80 target price implies that DroneShield shares could leap another 110%. Meanwhile some are more bearish, tipping the shares to sit unchanged from the current trading price of $2.28 a piece. 

Canaccord Genuity is one analyst with a bullish view on the shares. It renewed its buy rating on Droneshield shares earlier this month, with a 12-month price target of $3.75.

The post DroneShield shares crash another 7% today: Is this the end for the once-soaring defence stock? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Should I buy and hold DroneShield shares for 10 years?
• DroneShield shares are rebounding. Is this the turning point?
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why did DroneShield shares crash 29% in June?

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 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.

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) shares are trading in the red on Wednesday afternoon.

At the time of writing, the shares are down around 1% and are changing hands for 12.48 a piece.

Despite today’s slump, the shares are up around 12% over the past months and have rebounded an impressive 30% since they fell to a multi-year low of $9.62 in mid-May.

Now the question is, can Flight Centre shares keep flying higher? Or is today’s decline the beginning of the next share price crash?

Here’s what the experts think.

Buy, sell or hold Flight Centre shares? Here’s what brokers tip for the next 12 months.

If broker analysis is anything to go buy, we should see a lot more out of Flight Centre shares over the next year.

Market Index data shows a consensus buy rating for the ASX travel shares over the next 12 months. The average $15.36 target price implies a potential 23% upside ahead, at the time of writing.

TradingView data shows something similar. Out of 17 analysts, 15 have a buy or strong buy rating on Flight Centre shares. Another two rate the shares as a hold, however they all agree an upside ahead.

The average $14.69 target price implies a potential 18% upside, at the time of writing. Although some tip the shares to jump 45% to $18.13 over the next 12 months.

UBS is positive on Flight Centre Travel Group. The broker has retained its buy rating and $14.70 price target on the travel company’s shares.

Morgans also believes the recent share price weakness has created an opportunity for investors. The broker pointed to the company’s financial strength and the potential for a stronger recovery in the second half of FY27. It has a buy recommendation and $14.80 target price on the shares.

Jarden recently upgraded Flight Centre shares to a buy rating with a $15.90 target price.

What could drive the ASX travel stock higher?

Slower-than-expected profit growth, higher travel costs, geopolitical tensions, and inflation concerns pulled the brakes on Travel Centre’s shares earlier this year. 

But improved travel demand and less fuel price volatility has helped investor confidence recently. 

If fuel supply continues to improve and lower interest rates boost consumer spending, we could well see a stronger rebound ahead.

The company is also due to release its FY26 earnings results in late-August. If the result comes in ahead of market expectations we could see another lift in the share price. 

The post Flight Centre shares rebound 30% from multi-year low: Can they keep climbing higher? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 7 ASX 200 shares given buy ratings this week
• Why I want to own these ASX shares brokers rate as buys
• These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• Here are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
• ASX 200 retail shares outperform on growing hopes interest rates have peaked

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 recommended Flight Centre Travel Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having another difficult session on Wednesday as investors respond to a weaker lead from global markets.

At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.69% to 8,743 points.

The session looked much worse earlier on. The ASX 200 fell as low as 8,676.7 points this morning before trimming some of those losses.

Still, the decline has been enough to push the index back near its lowest levels in weeks.

Here’s what is dragging on the market today.

Oil is back in focus

Crude prices have been pushed higher after renewed tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.

Fresh attacks on commercial vessels, along with another round of US military strikes against Iran, have put supply risk back in the spotlight.

According to Trading Economics, WTI crude is trading at around US$72.32 a barrel, up 2.66%, while Brent crude is near US$76.05 a barrel, up 2.55%.

That has helped support energy shares, even as the broader market loses ground.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) shares are up 4.8% to $7.43, while Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are 2.79% higher to $28.75.

Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) shares are also up 1.63% to $10.315.

Miners and tech drag on the index

The problem for the ASX 200 is that the gains in energy are being offset elsewhere.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are down 3.3% to $56.925, while Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares are 2.35% lower to $164.19.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares are also weaker, falling 0.93% to $18.21.

The selling has also spread beyond resources.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) shares are down 1.63% to $249.22, Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) shares have dropped 2.43% to $29.935, and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) shares are off 2.47% to $4.945 following the recent outage.

Overall, 128 ASX 200 shares are falling, 62 are rising, and 10 are unchanged.

Banks and defensives soften the fall

The ASX 200 is still lower, but support from the banks and defensives is helping limit the damage.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are down 0.41% to $166.01, although the rest of the major banks are holding up a little better.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares are 0.25% lower at $36.04, National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) is flat at $39.22, and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) has edged 0.31% higher to $35.55.

The supermarkets are also giving the market some support.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares are up 0.79% to $39.73, while Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) has added 0.43% to $23.42.

QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) is also in positive territory, climbing 0.96% to $25.23 on the back of a leadership update.

The post Why the ASX 200 is sliding towards a 4-week low today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Qube shares: Scheme now effective and special dividend declared
• IperionX launches US$50m capital raise for titanium expansion
• Atlas Arteria closes IFM takeover and begins board renewal
• Ramelius Resources achieves FY26 guidance, grows cash flow and completes Edna May sale
• ResMed’s $490m MatrixCare sale: What it means

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, Goodman Group, and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares are falling on Wednesday as investors weigh up concerns around the company’s leadership.

The selling is also coming on a weak day for the broader market, with geopolitical tensions and higher oil prices putting pressure on sentiment.

At the time of writing, the WiseTech share price is down 7.06% to $34.73.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) tech stock had been recovering over the past week, but today’s fall shows investors are still nervous.

Here’s the latest.

Leadership concerns return

The latest pressure appears to be linked partly to fresh commentary around WiseTech’s leadership structure.

According to the report, one analyst has cut their fair value estimate on the stock by 6% to $130 per share after White stepped down as Chair.

But White isn’t walking away from the business. He remains on the board as an Executive Director, while Raelene Murphy has taken over as Independent Chair.

The move gives WiseTech a cleaner governance setup after months of scrutiny.

However, it doesn’t remove the question around White’s influence on the business.

The report quoted one analyst describing White’s exit as adding “friction” and creating a risk that “more signal gets lost at every step.”

White has been closely tied to WiseTech’s strategy, product direction, and culture for a long time.

Even with White still on the board, some shareholders may be wondering whether WiseTech can keep the same pace with a different person in the Chair.

Shipping worries add to the pressure

The broader market is also working against WiseTech today.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 0.8% to 8,735 points after US-Iran tensions pushed oil prices higher and rattled global markets.

The benchmark index fell as much as 1.5% earlier in the session, with a large majority of stocks trading in the red.

There is also a more direct sentiment issue here.

WiseTech provides software to the logistics, trade, and supply chain industries. This means that any disruption around major shipping routes can still weigh on how investors think about the stock.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil and shipping routes.

If attacks on commercial vessels continue, freight costs and shipping delays could all become bigger talking points.

A rough ride for shareholders

WiseTech shares are still up around 5% over the past week, but the longer-term damage is pretty hard to miss.

The stock is down close to 50% in 2026 and almost 70% over the past year. It also remains a long way below its 52-week high of $121.31.

Recent trading has also been messy.

The stock jumped 7.31% on Monday and another 5.65% on Tuesday. Earlier, it rose 14.26% on 24 June after falling 18.44% two days before.

The business remains profitable, and brokers are still positive on WiseTech. But today’s fall shows investors are still not ready to move past the recent uncertainty yet.

The post Why the WiseTech share price is sinking 7% today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 ASX shares tipped to grow 50% or more in the next 12 months
• These ASX tech shares crashed hard. Could they double from here?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• WiseTech shares surge 10% as Richard White steps back from chair role
• Are WiseTech shares ripe for a rebound?

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

Adairs Ltd (ASX: ADH) shares are sliding on Wednesday after the homewares retailer released its latest trading update.

At the time of writing, the Adairs share price is down 4.03% to $1.43.

The fall comes after a better recent run for the ASX retail stock. Adairs shares are still up around 14% over the past month, although they remain down 18% since the start of 2026.

The update had a few moving parts, with growth in parts of the business offset by a weaker result elsewhere.

Here’s what the company told investors.

Weak furniture sales weigh on Adairs

In its trading update, Adairs expects FY26 group sales to land between $640 million and $641.5 million.

At the midpoint, this represents an increase of 3.7% on FY25.

However, group underlying EBIT is expected to come in between $53.5 million and $55.5 million, which would be down 1.3% on FY25.

The main drag is Focus on Furniture, where Adairs now expects to recognise a non-cash impairment of between $62 million and $68 million against goodwill and brand intangible assets.

After the impairment and other significant items, the company expects to report a statutory net loss after tax of around $43 million for FY26.

Focus on Furniture drags

Adairs said its core retail business and Mocka both delivered sales and earnings growth in FY26.

The Adairs division is expected to report sales of about $458.5 million to $459 million, up 3.7%, with underlying EBIT up 14.6%.

Mocka also had a strong year, with sales expected to rise 22.1% and underlying EBIT up 28.1%.

However, the furniture side of the group was much weaker.

Focus on Furniture sales are expected to fall 5.7% to between $111 million and $111.5 million. Underlying EBIT is expected to drop 68.3% to between $3.5 million and $4 million.

Management pointed to heavy competitor discounting, weaker conversion, product underperformance, and execution challenges.

Adairs has brought in new management and is working through changes across the business, including clearing poorly positioned stock and improving operations.

Balance sheet holds up

Adairs said net debt was about $49 million at the end of June, down from $67.6 million a year earlier. It was also well below the company’s $135 million facility limit.

The Focus on Furniture impairment is also non-cash. Adairs said it shouldn’t cause any issues with its lenders, franking account, or ability to pay a dividend.

Still, the update gives shareholders a lot to think about.

The core Adairs business is growing, and Mocka is having a strong run. But Focus on Furniture is bringing down group earnings and now needs a proper turnaround.

Attention now turns to when Adairs will release its FY26 results on 24 August.

The post This ASX retail stock is falling as a $68 million furniture headache bites appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Are Evolution Mining shares crashing over 5% today?
• Qube shares: Scheme now effective and special dividend declared
• BHP shares slump 13% from their peak: Are the ASX mining shares a buy, sell or hold?
• $650 million in cash and gold, guidance hit: Why this ASX 200 stock is still falling
• Cochlear shares are slipping again. Is the comeback already over?

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