Tag: Stock pick

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is back on form and charging higher on Tuesday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is up 1.1% to 8,875.2 points.

Four ASX shares that are rising more than most today are listed below. Here’s why they are climbing:

Appen Ltd (ASX: APX)

The Appen share price is up 12% to $1.88. Investors have been buying this artificial intelligence data services company’s shares since the release of a strong quarterly update last week. Appen reported revenue of $73.4 million for the three months. This was a 10% lift on the prior corresponding period and a 33% increase on the third quarter of FY 2025. Commenting on the quarter, Appen’s CEO, Ryan Kolln, said: “Q4 was a strong finish to the year for both our China and Global businesses. Appen China exited the quarter with an annualised revenue run-rate growing to over $135 million – a pleasing result, providing strong momentum heading into FY26.”

Imricor Medical Systems Inc (ASX: IMR)

The Imricor Medical Systems share price is up 2% to $1.99. This morning, this medical device company revealed that Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI) has joined the VISABL-AFL clinical trial. It notes that this will support the U.S. FDA approval process for Imricor’s ablation products. OHI is now the fourth U.S. site to join the trial. Imricor’s Chair and CEO, Steve Wedan, added: “Oklahoma Heart Institute represents a highly sophisticated cardiology-led model of care, with the clinical vision and infrastructure already in place to support advanced MRI-guided procedures. The fact that cardiology owns and operates their MRI system creates a streamlined environment for innovation, reducing organisational complexity while enabling physicians to focus on delivering the best possible outcomes for patients.”

Qoria Ltd (ASX: QOR)

The Qoria share price is up 19% to 40 cents. This follows news that the cyber safety company is merging with its peer, Aura. It is a US-based provider of intelligent online safety solutions to individuals and families. Aura will acquire all Qoria shares through an all-scrip deal at a price equivalent to 72 cents per share. Qoria’s CEO, Tim Levy, said: “The internet was created to connect us, yet online safety has eroded, making trust paramount for parents, guardians and organisations, in general, for the protection of our activities online. The combination of Aura and Qoria pioneers a lifelong digital safety ecosystem; a new category that meets the urgent need for technology, education, and trust to protect people – confidently and safely, throughout their entire lives.”

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

The Xero share price is up 3% to $96.46. Investors have been buying this cloud accounting platform provider’s shares following the release of an update on its AI and US plans. Xero also reiterated its FY 2026 guidance. It advised that total operating expenses as a percentage of revenue is expected to be around 70.5%, including the Melio business. In addition, management reaffirmed its aim of more than doubling its FY 2025 group revenue in FY 2028.

The post Why Appen, Imricor, Qoria, and Xero shares are storming higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

The Atlas Arteria Group (ASX: ALX) share price is in focus today following an update on the French temporary supplemental tax, with the company reiterating its 2025 distribution guidance of 40 cents per security and confirming its target for future distributions.

What did Atlas Arteria report?

• The French Parliament has extended the temporary supplemental tax (TST) for toll road operators for an additional year.
• The tax will again be based on a percentage of average corporate income tax due for 2025 and 2026.
• A payment of 98% of the anticipated tax is due in December 2026, with the balance in May 2027.
• Atlas Arteria reaffirmed its 2025 distribution guidance of 40 cents per security, with a target of at least 40 cps for future periods.
• Guidance remains subject to ongoing business performance, taxes, exchange rates, and other events.

What else do investors need to know?

The Finance Law for 2026, which contains the TST extension, is expected to come into effect after review by the French Constitutional Council and signing by the President in the coming weeks. This development follows Atlas Arteria’s ongoing investments in toll roads across France, Germany, and the United States.

The company owns a significant stake in major French motorways, the Chicago Skyway, Dulles Greenway in Virginia, and the Warnow Tunnel in Germany. Management continues to back its distribution targets, aiming to provide stable and growing returns for investors, pending any material changes in tax or market conditions.

What did Atlas Arteria management say?

Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Arteria Hugh Wehby said:

We reiterate our 2025 distribution guidance of 40 cents per security and remain committed to delivering sustainable distributions supported by growing free cash flow.

What’s next for Atlas Arteria?

Atlas Arteria will continue to monitor developments regarding the French Finance Law and will update investors once the law is enacted. The business remains focused on maintaining free cash flow and supporting distributions, while navigating potential changes in tax and regulatory settings in its key markets.

Longer term, the company aims to reinforce its position as a leading toll road operator with disciplined management and sustainable business practices across its international portfolio.

Atlas Arteria share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Atlas Arteria shares have declined 2%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Atlas Arteria maintains distribution guidance while French tax extended appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

The Credit Corp Group Ltd (ASX: CCP) share price has crashed 13.87% to $12.30 a piece at the time of writing on Tuesday morning. Today’s decline follows the company’s H1 FY26 financial results, which were released ahead of the ASX open this morning.

Today’s share price drop means Credit Corp’s shares are now 13.2% lower for the year to date. They are also 18.81% below the trading price this time last year.

Credit Corp share price crashes on results day

Here’s what the debt collection company posted this morning:

• Revenue up 4% to $283.6 million

• Net profit after tax (NPAT) flat at $44.1 million

• Dividends per share flat at 32 cents

What happened in H1 FY26?

Credit Corp posted a flat NPAT of $44.1 million for the first half of FY26. This was despite reporting a 4% increase in revenue, to $283.6 million, for the six-month period.

The debt collectors’ US business reported the strongest growth, with revenue from its US debt buying segment up 25% to $73.7 million. Its NPAT also surged 63% to $11.7 million.

The company’s overall results were dragged down by weaker results in its Australian and New Zealand segment. This business segment faced significant headwinds over the first half of the year.

Its Australian/NZ debt buying division and collection services saw revenue drop 6% to $108.1 million and NPAT decline 10% to $10.9 million. The business segment has suffered over the past few months after several issuers temporarily suspended debt book sales, which impacted the company’s collection volumes.

The AU/NZ lending business segment reported a 4% increase in its revenue, to $101.8 million. But its NPAT fell 14% to $21.5 million. This was despite a 14% increase in total settled loans to $223.3 million.

“While the AU/NZ debt buying market remains competitive as buyers attempt to secure volume in a diminished post-COVID market, there are some early signs of increasing supply,” the company said in a media release this morning. 

“Interest bearing credit card balances grew +12% over the half year. In time, this growth will likely be reflected in charge-offs and sale volumes.”

Credit Corp said it would pay investors an interim dividend of 32 cents per share. This is unchanged from the FY25 interim dividend and “is consistent with the long-standing practice of paying out ~50% of earnings”.

What’s ahead for Credit Corp?

The business is still optimistic about the outlook for the full FY26 financial year. Credit Corp has kept its guidance unchanged. The company expects NPAT of $105 million, which sits in the middle of its $100 to $110 million guidance range.

The company projects that H2 of FY26 will deliver NPAT of $61 million, compared to $44 million in H1.

The post Credit Corp share price crashes 14% following H1 FY26 result appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Atlas Arteria maintains distribution guidance while French tax extended
• 3 ASX 200 large-cap healthcare shares just re-rated by experts
• Why Morgans just upgraded ResMed shares
• 3 ASX mining shares to buy: Morgans
• If I invest $8,000 in Coles shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2026?

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.

ASX 200 healthcare shares are underperforming on Tuesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) up 0.7% compared to a 1.2% bump for the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

Here are three ASX 200 healthcare large-caps that have just been re-rated by market analysts.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

The CSL share price is $178.46, up 0.8% today and down 35% over the past 12 months.

On The Bull this week, Damien Nguyen from Morgans has a buy rating on the healthcare sector’s largest company.

Nguyen explains:

This biopharmaceutical giant offers a stronger risk/reward profile after a period of share price underperformance.

Plasma collections are rising, costs are normalising and earnings momentum is improving.

Recovery at CSL Behring, a blood products division, remains on track and the influenza vaccination division Seqirus continues to provide defensive earnings.

Nguyen points out that the current CSL share price “sits well below long term averages despite fundamental improvement”.

This sets up an attractive long term capital growth story. Catalysts for a share price re-rating include an earnings recovery and margin expansion.

ResMed CDI (ASX: RMD)

The ResMed CDI share price is $36.89, down 0.5% on Tuesday and down 5.3% over the past year.

Remed is the third largest ASX 200 healthcare share on the market today.

Morgans upgraded ResMed shares to a buy rating after reviewing the company’s 2Q FY26 update.

The broker said:

2Q beat across the board, with double-digit revenue and earnings growth, further gross margin expansion and solid cash generation.

Sleep and respiratory sales were strong in both regions, with above-market growth in the Americas and ROW returning to market growth, while SaaS beat expectations, but remained subdued by residential care headwinds.

Operating leverage improved again, with gross margin gains from manufacturing and logistics efficiencies, and FY26 guidance tightened to 62-63% (from 61-63%), reinforcing confidence in ongoing margin progression.

Morgans said the company’s recent share price weakness is “unjustified given sound fundamentals”.

The broker has a 12-month share price target of $47.73 on ResMed.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

The Pro Medicus share price is $178.10, down 0.03% today and down 34% over the past 12 months.

Stuart Bromley from Medallion Financial Group has a hold rating on the ASX 200’s fifth-largest company.

Bromley said:

The company retains best-in-class imaging software that should generate high margins and structural growth from a steady flow of new contract wins amid bigger and longer contract renewals with existing customers.

The significant share price retreat leaves PME as a hold, but also presents an opportunity to enter a top class business at an attractive price. 

The post 3 ASX 200 large-cap healthcare shares just re-rated by experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Now could be the time to buy ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) shares.

That’s the view of analysts at Morgans, who have turned positive on the sleep disorder-focused medical device company following its second-quarter update.

What happened in the second quarter?

Last week, ResMed released its second-quarter result and revealed revenue and profits ahead of consensus expectations.

For the three months ended 31 December, ResMed reported an 11% increase in revenue to US$1.4 billion over the prior corresponding period. This reflects increased demand for its portfolio of sleep devices, masks, and accessories.

U.S., Canada, and Latin America revenue, excluding Residential Care Software, grew by 11%, whereas revenue in Europe, Asia, and other markets, excluding Residential Care Software, grew by 6% in constant currency. Residential Care software revenue increased 5% on a constant currency basis.

Another major highlight was ResMed’s gross margin, which increased once again. Its gross margin increased 320 basis points during the quarter thanks to manufacturing and logistics efficiencies and component cost improvements.

This led to ResMed’s income from operations increasing a sizeable 18% on the same period last year.

ResMed’s chairman and CEO, Mick Farrell, said:

Year-over-year, we delivered 11% headline revenue growth, 310 basis points of non-GAAP gross margin expansion, and continued operating excellence, resulting in another quarter of mid-teens non-GAAP EPS growth. These results reflect strong ongoing demand for our market-leading sleep and respiratory care devices, as well as the growing impact of our digital health ecosystem that spans more than 140 countries.

Morgans upgrades ResMed’s shares

In response to the update, the team at Morgans has upgraded ResMed shares to a buy rating with a $47.73 price target.

Based on its current share price of $36.72, this implies potential upside of 30% for investors over the next 12 months.

Commenting on its recommendation, Morgans said:

2Q beat across the board, with double-digit revenue and earnings growth, further gross margin expansion and solid cash generation. Sleep and respiratory sales were strong in both regions, with above-market growth in the Americas and ROW returning to market growth, while SaaS beat expectations, but remained subdued by residential care headwinds. Operating leverage improved again, with gross margin gains from manufacturing and logistics efficiencies, and FY26 guidance tightened to 62-63% (from 61-63%), reinforcing confidence in ongoing margin progression. We adjust FY26-28 forecasts modesty and move to BUY with a A$47.73 target price, viewing recent share weakness unjustified given sound fundamentals.

The post Why Morgans just upgraded ResMed shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. 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 Metal & Mining Index (ASX: XMM) shares are outperforming on Tuesday, up 2.28%, while the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) is 1.29% higher.

Top broker Morgans gives the following ASX miners a buy rating.

Here’s why.

Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS)

This ASX gold mining share is up 2.05% to $4.50 apiece on Tuesday.

Ramelius Resources shares have rocketed 78% over the past 12 months, while the gold commodity price has ascended 68%.

After the miner revealed its 2Q FY26 results, Morgans remained buy-rated on the stock and lifted its price target from $4.50 to $5.50.

However, the broker downgraded its recommendation from buy to accumulate.

Morgans said:

RMS reported its 2Q26 result following its pre-release update on 8 January, delivering production of 45.6koz at an AISC of A$1,977/oz.

RMS remains on track to meet FY26 guidance of 185–205koz at an AISC of A$1,700–A$1,900/oz, with YTD production now at 100.6koz at an AISC of A$1,901/oz.

Lower production reflects the ongoing tapering of Cue open pit head grades, partially offset by higher-grade feed from Penny (9.8g/t Au).

Importantly, development at Dalgaranga has now accessed the high-grade Never Never orebody, with initial development ore stockpiled (16kt at 3.5g/t Au), providing a positive lead indicator for grade uplift into coming quarters.

Meeka Metals Ltd (ASX: MEK)

This fellow ASX gold mining share is 23 cents, up 5.5% today and up 132% over the past 12 months.

After reviewing the company’s 2Q FY26 results, Morgans maintained its buy rating on Meeka Metals shares.

It also kept its 12-month share price target at 33 cents.

MEK delivered its 2Q26 operating result as the Murchison Gold Project continues to ramp up.

Gold production increased 28% quarter on quarter to 9.1koz Au and was in-line with MorgansF of 9.3koz Au.

Ounce production was underpinned by a mill head grade of 3.3g/t Au, ~10% above MorgansF assumptions; however, this grade outperformance is partially offsetting lower-than-expected throughput.

Looking ahead, improvements in mill throughput, driven by underground production remain key to maintaining alignment with PFS forecasts.

Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX: AIS)

The Aeris Resources share price is 58 cents, up 3% on Tuesday.

The ASX copper mining share has skyrocketed by 316% over the past 12 months.

Like gold, copper has also been on an upward trajectory, rising 35% year over year due to higher demand because of the energy transition.

Following Aeris Resources’ 2Q FY26 report, Morgans maintained its accumulate rating and lifted its price target from 60 cents to 70 cents.

The broker said:

Solid 2Q26 delivery. Cracow continues its strong performance and Tritton operated broadly to plan.

Our earnings forecasts and valuation have been upgraded to reflect the company’s improved earnings outlook for the remainder of FY26 in the current copper and gold price environment.

The post 3 ASX mining shares to buy: Morgans appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.

Owning Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) shares has been a smart pick for passive income over the last several years with both a pleasing dividend yield and a rising payout.

I’ll always advocate for income-focused investors to invest in stocks that are more likely than average to maintain or increase the payout. If someone is investing for passive income, particularly if they’re relying on it, they may want to have a sense of safety that the payments are likely to continue flowing.

Coles could be one of the most defensive businesses on the ASX with its national store networks of Coles supermarkets and liquor stores. Its liquor businesses include Coles Liquor, First Choice Liquor Market, Liquorland and Vintage Cellars. Coles also owns half of Flybuys and it offers certain financial services including insurance, credit cards and personal loans.

If an investor were considering investing thousands of dollars into Coles shares, let’s look at how much passive income it could provide.

Coles dividend forecast for FY26

The business has increased its annual payout each year since FY19 and it’s expected to grow again in FY26.

Analysts are projecting a potential payout of 78.8 cents per share in the 2026 financial year, which would represent a year-over-year increase of 14%. I’d be very happy with that level of dividend growth as a shareholder.

If the business does pay that level of income, it would be a dividend yield of 3.7%. With franking credits, that’s a grossed-up dividend yield of around 5.25%, which is comfortably more than what bank savings accounts are offering right now.

If someone were to invest $8,000 into Coles shares, that would mean being able to buy 374 Coles shares. This would create almost $295 of cash dividends and $421 of grossed-up dividend income, including the franking credits.

I think that’s a very good level of passive income from an investment that can provide resilient income. The projection on Commsec suggests the business could increase its payout to 84.5 cents per share in FY27 and 97.6 cents per share in FY28.

Is this a good time to invest in the business?

Analysts generally have a positive view on Coles shares. According to a collation of analyst opinions on the business, there are currently 10 buy ratings on the business and seven hold ratings. Thankfully, there are no selling ratings on the company.

In my opinion, I think this is a good time to invest in the business with ongoing population growth and resilient employment. A lower Coles share price is also appealing – it’s down around 10% since August 2025.

The post If I invest $8,000 in Coles shares, how much passive income will I receive in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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.

If you have $3,000 to invest in February, exchange traded funds (ETFs) could be worth considering.

They make it easier to put that money to work without overthinking individual stock selection.

By choosing a small mix of ETFs with different roles, investors can gain diversification across regions and styles while still keeping things simple.

Here are three ASX ETFs that could be worth considering this month, each offering exposure to a different growth driver.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The first ASX ETF to consider is the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF.

It tracks the Nasdaq 100 Index, which is home to many of the world’s most influential technology and innovation-led companies. While the biggest names get the attention, looking further down the index highlights just how broad the opportunity set is.

As well as the Magnificent Seven, its holdings include companies such as Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO), Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE), and Intuit (NASDAQ: INTU). These businesses are deeply embedded in enterprise software, semiconductors, and financial technology, areas that continue to grow even as trends evolve.

Rather than being a bet on one technology cycle, this fund provides exposure to an ecosystem of companies that tend to reinvest heavily and adapt as new opportunities emerge.

Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)

Another ASX ETF that could be a buy is the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF.

This fund focuses on global stocks with strong profitability, robust business models, and consistent earnings growth. It leans toward businesses that have demonstrated they can deliver returns through different economic conditions.

Among its holdings are stocks such as Lam Research (NASDAQ: LRCX), Uber (NYSE: UBER), and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX). These businesses benefit from pricing power, recurring revenue, and entrenched market positions.

Overall, this fund could act as a stabilising core holding, providing global exposure with an emphasis on business quality rather than hype. It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

Betashares India Quality ETF (ASX: IIND)

A final ASX ETF to consider is the Betashares India Quality ETF.

This fund takes a selective approach to the Indian economy by focusing on higher-quality companies. This helps filter out some of the risks that can come with rapidly expanding economies.

Holdings include stocks such as Infosys (NYSE: INFY), HDFC Bank (NSEI: HDFCBANK), and Tata Consultancy Services (NSEI: TCS). These businesses play central roles in India’s technology services and financial systems.

What makes this ASX ETF interesting today is its long-term focus. India’s economy is expected to grow for decades, and this fund is designed to capture that growth through companies with stronger balance sheets and more consistent earnings. It was also recently recommended by the fund manager.

The post 3 of the best ASX ETFs to buy in February with $3,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Adobe, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Intuit, Lam Research, Netflix, and Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Broadcom and HDFC Bank and has recommended the following options: long January 2028 $330 calls on Adobe and short January 2028 $340 calls on Adobe. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Adobe, Lam Research, and Netflix. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) share price had a month to forget in January.

Over the month just past, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gained 1.8%.

As for Zip, shares in the ASX 200 buy now, pay later (BNPL) stock closed out December trading for $3.29. When the closing bell sounded on 30 January, shares were changing hands for $2.65 apiece.

This put the Zip share price down a painful 19.4% over the first month of 2026. And it saw the stock take the ignominious title of the worst performer on the ASX 200 in January.

So, what went wrong for the BNPL stock?

Why did the Zip share price come under pressure?

There was no fresh news out from the company in January that would have been likely to spook investors.

In fact, you might have expected the Zip share price to get a boost after United States President Donald Trump announced his desire to impose a 10% cap on credit card interest rates.

As credit card companies and BNPL companies are directly competing for the same customers, an interest rate cap could see credit card companies impose stricter lender criteria, which could lead to customers turning to the services offered by companies like Zip.

So, I think there are two more basic reasons why Zip stock went backwards in January.

First, the stock has been on an absolute tear since plumbing one-year plus lows of $1.19 on 7 April last year.

Running the maths, at the $3.29 31 December closing price, shares had surged 176.5% from those lows. So, some profit-taking is not unexpected. And even at January’s closing price, investors who bought at the low would still have been sitting on gains of 122.7%.

The second reason I think the Zip share price took a hit in January is the outlook for interest rates in the company’s core markets of the US and Australia.

As you’re likely all too aware, rates in Australia may well go up (perhaps even later today following the RBA meeting). And while we may see some more easing from the US Federal Reserve, January saw the market pare back the odds of multiple rate cuts from the world’s most influential central bank.

That’s important because BNPL stocks like Zip have proven to be highly sensitive to interest rate moves.

What’s been sending the ASX 200 BNPL stock soaring?

With the Zip share price currently back up to $2.74, the stock is up 20.4% over 12 months and up 129.8% from its April lows.

Investors have taken note of the company’s rapid growth potential. Zip reported a 98.1% year-on-year increase in its Q1 FY 2026 cash earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBTDA) to $62.8 million.

The company also reported a 5.3% increase in its active customers to 6.4 million.

The post Why did the Zip share price crash 19% in January? 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 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.

When I think about holding a S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) share for a decade or more, I’m not looking for something that just looks cheap today. I’m looking for businesses with long runways, clear competitive advantages, and markets that are big enough to support years of growth without relying on perfect execution.

With that mindset, these are three ASX 200 shares I’d be very comfortable buying and holding until at least 2036.

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)

ResMed operates in one of the most attractive long-term healthcare markets globally, in my opinion.

Sleep apnoea and respiratory conditions remain significantly underdiagnosed. Estimates suggest over a billion people worldwide could benefit from treatment, which gives ResMed a very large and still expanding addressable market. Add ageing populations and rising awareness of sleep health, and the structural tailwinds are hard to ignore.

What makes ResMed especially compelling to me is that it is no longer just selling devices. Its connected hardware, software platforms, and digital health ecosystem mean recurring data-driven revenue is becoming more important over time. That deepens customer relationships and raises switching costs.

For a 10-year-plus investment, I like that combination of essential healthcare demand, global scale, and increasing operating leverage.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Xero is one of the clearest long-term growth stories on the ASX, in my view.

The company operates in the global small business and accounting software market, which spans millions of small and medium-sized enterprises worldwide. Even in Xero’s core markets, penetration is still far from complete, and international opportunities, particularly in the US, remain substantial.

What stands out to me is how embedded Xero becomes once a business adopts it. Accounting software sits at the centre of financial operations. Switching is disruptive, which creates strong retention and recurring subscription revenue.

Over a decade-long timeframe, I think the opportunity isn’t just more customers. It’s deeper monetisation through payments, payroll, lending integrations, and ecosystem services. If Xero continues executing, the market opportunity in front of it is far larger than its current revenue base.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

Hub24 may be smaller than the other two, but I think this ASX 200 share’s long-term opportunity is just as compelling.

Hub24 operates in Australia’s wealth management platform market, which oversees trillions of dollars in household savings. While Hub24 is already a major player, it still controls only a modest share of total funds under administration, leaving plenty of room for growth.

The structural shift toward fee transparency, platform-based investing, and professional financial advice continues to work in Hub24’s favour. As advisers consolidate platforms and focus on efficiency, Hub24’s technology-led approach and strong adviser relationships position it well.

What I particularly like for a long-term hold is the operating leverage in the model. As funds under administration grow, revenue tends to scale faster than costs. Over 10 years, that can translate into very strong earnings growth if market inflows remain supportive.

Foolish Takeaway

ResMed, Xero, and Hub24 operate in different industries, but they share some important traits. Each has exposure to a large and growing market, strong competitive positioning, and business models that reward patience.

I wouldn’t expect a smooth ride every year. Markets change, sentiment shifts, and short-term disappointments are inevitable. But if I were building a portfolio to hold until at least 2036, these are exactly the kinds of ASX 200 shares I’d want on my side.

The post 3 super ASX 200 shares I would buy and hold until at least 2036 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why Morgans just upgraded ResMed shares
• Xero shares charge higher on big AI and US update
• Xero highlights AI progress and Melio momentum in US market update
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• Xero shares hit a multi-year low. Is now the time to buy?

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, ResMed, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed and Xero. 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.